NCJ Number
231693
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 37 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2010 Pages: 933-950
Date Published
September 2010
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed implementation of several key components in evaluating the structure and operation of drug courts.
Abstract
In the past 20 years, drug courts have become a common part of criminal justice systems' responses to drug-related crime. However, systematic national research has been limited on how drug courts are specifically organized, limiting the ability of staff at individual programs to compare the structure and operations of their program to those from a nationally representative dataset. Therefore, as a part of the eCourt project, a national sample of drug court coordinators was asked to rate the extent to which a set of guidelines, the "10 key components," was implemented using a 43-item self-administered questionnaire. Psychometric analyses indicated that a seven-factor solution (with 27 items) provided the best and most interpretable fit. Composite indices included eligibility and program components, therapeutic and individualized jurisprudence, team collaboration and communication, community support, data-driven program development, graduated sanctions, and defense and prosecution collaboration. Suggested uses for the findings are discussed. Figure, tables, appendix, notes, and references (Published Abstracts)