Sanctions and Behavior Contracts: The Use of Behavior Management Strategies in a Suburban Drug Treatment Court

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Abstract

A key component of the drug court model is the use of behavior management strategies to ensure participant compliance with program goals and to promote substance use abstinence. However, there is much variation as to how behavioral strategies are deployed across jurisdictions, as each drug court makes determinations that balance adherence to standardized guidelines with more personalized responses. This paper explores the behavior management strategies used by a suburban drug court in the Midwest, with a focus on their reliance on formal sanctions and behavior contracts. Drug court staff interviews (n=22) and policy manuals were analyzed for information regarding the array of sanctions available, the process involved in delivering a sanction, the circumstances in which behavior contracts are used, and the perceived effectiveness of sanctions and behavior contracts in keeping participants on track with program milestones. Staff generally agreed that the purpose of administering sanctions and behavior contracts was to hold participants accountable, although interviewees had varied opinions as to their usefulness in doing so. A “matrix” guides the sanction selection process, although interviews suggest the team has ample room for discretionary decisions. Policy recommendations aimed at increasing the effectiveness of these behavior management techniques are advanced.

Authors

• Irina Fanarraga, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Jennifer Stanley, Temple University