Management Information Systems and Drug Courts: The District of Columbia Approach

• NCJ Number: 161602
• Author(s): J A Carver; K R Boyer; R Hickey
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency
• Sale Source: District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC; Paper prepared for the 47th Annual Conference of the American Society of Criminology, Boston, Mass., November 14-18, 1995

Annotation

This paper describes the management information system developed by the District of Columbia to integrate all information needed by judges in drug cases and used during the implementation of the jurisdiction's 5-year federally funded drug court demonstration project.

Abstract

The management information system was assembled on a small budget, using only agency personnel and standard personal computer network software and hardware. The system was expanded and enhanced during the implementation of the demonstration project. In the courts, the judge uses a computer that presents urinalysis results and other information. The Drug Test Management System (DTMS) is a completely paperless system that requires only a single keystroke to advance from screen to screen. It was shaped by those who use it: judges, urine collection escorts, laboratory technicians, treatment counselors, and case managers. The information system includes demographic information, frequency of testing, treatment referrals, sanctions, and other information. The drug court judge can view screens and scroll through case notes to recall significant events for each defendant. DTMS exemplifies what can be done using only moderate resources, available technology, and imagination. Figures