"Juvenile Drug Courts and Recidivism: Results from a Multisite Outcome Study". (23rd February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, Christopher J.; Blair, Lesli; Latessa, Edward; Sullivan, Carrie Coen
• Is Part Of: Justice quarterly. Volume 33:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 318
• Publication Date: 2016-02-23
• Subjects: juvenile justice -- drug courts -- evidence-based practice; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 340.11405
• DOI: 10.1080/07418825.2014.908937
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-8825

Abstract

Abstract : This study reports findings from a study of nine juvenile drug courts (JDCs) from across the US. A quasi-experimental design, with one-to-one matching on possible confounders and sociodemographics, was used for the outcome assessment ( n = 1372). Baseline and outcome data were drawn from justice system records. Although there is variation across sites and, to some extent, outcomes, these JDCs were generally ineffective in reducing recidivism. Similar findings have emerged in other recent studies of JDCs. Given the results of this study and others, it is essential that juvenile courts work to improve the effectiveness of JDCs by increasing adherence to known principles of effective intervention.