Measuring Inclusion and Equity in Drug Courts

• In Event: New Arenas for Studying Race and Punishment

Abstract

Research indicates that racial, ethnic, gender, and age disparities occur at critical processing points, including referral, admission, and successful completion in many Adult Drug Courts. A 2010 resolution by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) directs Drug Courts to monitor whether unfair disparities exist in their programs and to take affirmative steps to ameliorate such disparities if they exist. The resolution places an affirmative obligation on Drug Courts to continually monitor whether minority participants have equal access, receive equivalent services and successfully complete at rates equivalent to non-minorities. Further, Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards Standard II directs such courts to determine whether equivalent access to and equivalent retention in Drug Court exists among all ethnic, gender, and racial groups. The paper describes a methodology developed by NADCP and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to assist Drug Courts to assess their compliance with the standard. An MS EXCEL-based tool designed to diagnose disparities at critical processing points will be demonstrated. Evidence regarding disparities in Drug Court processing will be reviewed and strategies for ameliorating such disparities will be described.

Authors

• Fred Louis Cheesman II, National Center for State Courts

• Douglas B. Marlowe, National Association of Drug Court Professionals