The Adult Drug Courts of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine: An

Analysis of Effectiveness and Barriers to Expansion

Prepared by:Jaya Batra ‘13

Austin Goldberg ’13Adam Nasser ‘15Portia Schultz ‘15

The Drug Court ModelParticipants:

-History of drug use

-Nonviolent crime

-Must plead guilty

-Resident of the county

-Must have transportation

The Drug Court Model:

-BJA’s 10 Criteria

-12 to 18 months

-Random AOD testing

-Upon completion: no prison, felony expunged

-The drug court team

Recovery

Savings

Social Benefits

Drug Courts Nationally• 1970s and 80s: increased drug use overcrowded prisons

• 2,600+ in the U.S.

• GAO Study on Recidivism- Participants: 6-26% lower- Graduates: 12-58% lower

• Annual incarceration cost: $20,000-$50,000 per inmate

• Annual drug court cost: $9,000-$12,000 per participant

Criteria for Evaluation

1. Recidivism Rates

2. Cost-Effectiveness

3. Impact Across Gender, Race, and Age

4. Social Consequences

New Hampshire

Has a drug court

Developing a drug court

New Hampshire: Strafford•Operationalized in 2006 with DOJ start-up grant

•Key Statistics-54% graduation rate with 100 graduates-10% have recidivated (new felony/misdemeanor)-Corrections vs. Drug Courts: $84/day vs. $9/day

• Implemented female-only treatment groups

New Hampshire: Grafton

• Operationalized in 2007 with $20,000 DOJ start-up grant

• Promising outcomes for 27 graduates:

-Recidivism: 9-10% vs. 67% for traditionally incarcerated

nationwide

-Per person costs of $2,500 vs. $9,000-$12,000 nationally

Vermont

Has a drug court

VermontChittenden•Recidivism:

-36-40% for participants

-14% for graduates

•Cost: -$85 per day cheaper than jail

•Graduation:-624 enrolled, 482 graduated (77%)

Rutland•Recidivism:

-60% for participants-22% for graduates

•Cost: -$3 return on each dollar invested

•Graduation:-36% graduation rate

Maine

• Currently, 5 counties with drug courts-1,435 participants as of 2012

• Recidivism: 17% drug courts v. 33% traditionally incarcerated (ME study)

• Cost: $3.30 saved for $1 spent

• Additional Benefits-60 drug free-births since 2001

-$750,000-1,400,000 lifetime savings

Policy Research Shop

Cost-Benefit Analysis

* Model uses data from Rutland County to extrapolate savings for 50 and 100 new participants

Policy Research Shop

Key Takeaways• Drug courts seem to be an effective alternative to

incarceration in NH, ME, and VT– Reduced recidivism, except Penobscot County, ME– Long-term cost savings

• Common demographic characteristics– Lower graduation rates for female and young participants

• BJA grants serve as a primary source of funding

Policy Research Shop

Keys to Success• Clear criteria for termination

• Treatment activities as sanctions

• Ongoing judicial interaction

• Targeted programs for female clients

• Expeditious referral time

• Separate participants by level of risk

Policy Research Shop

The Future of Drug Courts

Deterrent: Cost & Infrastructure

•National Drug Court Institute cites cost as primary obstacle to drug court expansion

•Large, upfront grant required to initiate program

•Court cost usually absorbed by county budget

Policy Research Shop

The Future of Drug Courts

Deterrent: Perception & Ideology

•Are Drug Courts “soft” on crime?

•Additional treatment vs. incarceration

Policy Research Shop

Conclusion• Drug courts as an effective alternative to incarceration in NH,

ME, and VT:– Reduce recidivism– Promote recovery– Create cost-savings

• Analysis limited by small sample sizes

• Policy Options:– Greater financial support– Tailor programs to key demographics – Adoption of best-practices