Gender Differences in Predictors of Intermediate Outcomes in a Diversion Drug Court

• In Event: Appearance, Visual Cues, and Gender in the Courts

Abstract

Prior research suggests that men and women have different needs when entering drug court and unique experiences once in drug courts. Some prior studies have found gender differences in important outcomes, but others find no differences. Using administrative data from one Florida pre-plea drug court, we sought to answer the research question “are individual level predictors of intermediate outcomes (acceptance to the program, positive drug tests, incentives, sanctions, and graduation) different for men and women?” Overall, we found few significant differences. With respect to acceptance status, the effect of age on acceptance status was stronger for women but the effect of higher education was stronger for men. Charge type had a stronger impact on the number of positive drug tests for men but having ‘other’ employment had a stronger impact on women being sanctioned at least once. Finally, the impact of the number of incentives on graduation status was stronger for women. Drug court best practices indicate that treatment should be non-disparate. Results did not indicate systematic patterns of disparities across the five outcomes.

Authors

• Elizabeth Hartsell, Sam Houston State University

• Jodi Lane, University of Florida