NCJ Number
152005
Journal
Justice System Journal Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (1994) Pages: 53-81
Date Published
1994
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This study compared recidivism and reconviction rates for offenders sentenced in special narcotics (N part) courts and regular courtrooms in New York City; recidivism rates for drug offenders and others were compared for a 2-year period for offenders in a 1989 arrest cohort.
Abstract
The final samples included in this retrospective matched comparison group study design included 2,758 offenders in the N parts and 3,225 in the non-N parts. The results showed little difference between the samples in terms of recidivism prevalence or rates, or in reconviction or reincarceration rates. Adjusted arrest rates were lower in the N parts, even after controlling for sanction type, but there was no evidence of specific effects of sanction severity on recidivism within court type. This finding suggests that increasing the celerity of punishment does not decrease recidivism nor do more lenient punishments lead to increased recidivism. Finally, lag times between arrest and rearrest did not differ systematically for offenders in the two groups. More rapid case distribution with more lenient sentencing, that characterize specialized courts, do not seem to pose an enhanced danger to the public. 2 figures, 7 tables, 13 notes, and 44 references