Successful Completion: An Examination of Factors Influencing Drug Court Completion for White and Non-White Male Participants

Abstract

This research examines the influence of demographic and legal factors on the successful completion of the Seahawk Drug Treatment Court Program for White and Non-White male participants. Located in a medium-size city, the program targets male felony offenders and has been in operation for more than 10 years. The research sample is comprised of 526 participants with a program disposition between January 1, 2005 and September 30, 2010. Using race-specific logistic regression models, results reveal both similarities and differences among these groups. The implications and limitations of this research are discussed, as well as avenues for future research.

RÉSUMÉ

Réussite: Unexamen des facteursinfluantsur l'achèvement Cour drogues pour les Blancsetnon-blanc participants masculins

Cette influence examinesthe la recherche de facteurs démographiques et juridiques sur la réussite du Programme de médicaments de traitement pour Seahawk Cour blancs et non-blanc participants de sexe masculin. Situé dans une ville de taille moyenne, le programme vise les délinquants de sexe masculin et d'inculpation a été en opération depuis plus de 10 ans. L’échantillon de recherche est composé de 526 participants avec une disposition du programme entre Janvier 1, 2005 et Septembre 30, 2010. Utilisation spécifiques à la race modèles de régression logistique, les résultats révèlent des similitudes et des différences entre ces groupes. Les implications et les limites de cette étude sont discutés, ainsi que des pistes de recherche future.

Mots-clés: tribunaux de la drogue, la race/ethnicité, de l'emploi, la drogue de choix

RESUMEN

La conclusión con éxito: unestudio de factoresqueinfluyen en la Corte de Drogas de finalización para los participantesmasculinos blancos y no blancos

Esta influencia examinesthe la investigación de los factores demográficos y legales sobre la finalización con éxito del Programa de Medicamentos Seahawk tribunal de tratamiento para los participantes masculinos blancos y no blancos. Situado en una ciudad de tamaño mediano, el programa está dirigido a delincuentes de sexo masculino por delitos graves y ha estado en operación por más de 10 años. La muestra de investigación está compuesto por 526 participantes con una disposición del programa entre enero 1 de 2005 y septiembre 30, 2010. Uso de la raza-específicos modelos de regresión logística, los resultados revelan similitudes y diferencias entre estos grupos. Las implicaciones y las limitaciones de esta investigación se analizan, así como vías para la investigación futura.

Palabras clave: los tribunales de drogas, raza / etnia, el empleo, la droga de elección

Keywords :

• drug courts
• race/ethnicity
• employment
• drug of choice

Notes

2 The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.

3 To be eligible, participants may not have any of the following: more than one domestic violence or assault and battery conviction; more than five prior felony convictions; used a weapon during the current offense; or a history of violent, assaultive, or drug delivery felonies.

4 The following criteria must be met (in addition to the clinical and legal eligibility) in order to qualify for the diversion track of the Seahawk County Drug Treatment Court Program: no previous diversion program participation; no pattern of violent behavior; no previous violent or assaultive felony conviction; no more than one prior Assault & Battery conviction and not currently under sentence; no more than one prior Domestic Violence conviction and not currently under sentence; no criminal record indicating history of drug delivery; no more than five prior felony convictions; no violence at the time of arrest; no weapons at the time of arrest; no weapon used during offense; said crime cannot be a violation of public trust; and probable cause must exist to charge the eligible offense.

5 Unsuccessful discharge categories: unsuccessful within 3 months; unsuccessful (after 3 months); absconded; new felony offense; new misdemeanor offense; relapsed; opted out within 3 months; opted out (after 3 months).

6 Intermediate refers to cells with an upper limit of 18 months or less of imprisonment. Straddle cell sentences have a lower limit of 1 year or less and an upper limit of 18 months of imprisonment. Presumptive prison sentences have a lower limit that exceeds 1 year of imprisonment.

7 Distribution for these types of drugs were as follows: opiates 2.7%; poly drug 2.7%; steroids 0.4%.

8 According to 2010 State Police arrest statistics, 65.1% of adult male arrestees were White and 34.9% were non-White. Within Seahawk County, 62.1% of adult arrestees were male and 37.9% were female. Of this same group, 54.4% were White and 45.6% were non-White. The 2010 US Census statistics reveal that 81.7% of Seahawk County residents (men and women) identified as White and 18.3% as non-White.