Evaluation of the Madison County Assessment Treatment Alternative Court

• NCJ Number: 176908
• Author(s): M D Godley; M L Dennis; R Funk; M Siekmann; R Weisheit
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 132 pages
• Grant Number(s): 95-DB-VX-0017
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA); Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This final report presents evaluation findings for the first 2 years of the Madison County Drug Court (Illinois); it documents both the formative evaluation findings and the client outcomes; where possible, findings are supplemented by qualitative data collected through interviews with clients and stakeholders.

Abstract

Fueled by a 437-percent increase in the number of arrests for drug violations between 1988 and 1992, along with the 50- percent increase in drug-related felonies filed between 1993 and 1994, the Madison County Drug Court was established. The program has committed judicial leadership as well as a host of collaborators, including the State's attorney, probation department, public defender, 708 mental health board, county board, TASC, and the local drug treatment provider. Evaluation results show that the project followed a pattern of implementation characterized by stakeholder commitment to the goals of helping participants discontinue drug use and criminal activity and become employed, productive members of society. Throughout the 2-year evaluation, stakeholder commitment remained high and focused on producing better interagency coordination and problem-solving geared toward improving the drug court operations and services to its clients. Regarding effectiveness, the project clearly succeeded with program graduates, made substantial progress with Track II participants (more serious offenders) and late dropouts in Track I (participants who stayed longer than 3 months but did not graduate), but was unable to provide effective assistance to a relatively small group of clients who dropped out early (prior to 3 months of participation). Criminal recidivism was significantly reduced, and the number of participants who became drug-free and employed significantly increased. Areas requiring additional attention and study include improving the retention and graduation rates, greater attention to young African-American male participants and women, and taking a close look at whether additional case management and treatment capacity are necessary to maintain and increase enrollment. 2 tables, 20 figures, 10 references, and appended supplementary data and evaluation forms