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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 ’13 Adam Nasser ‘15 Portia Schultz ‘15 The Drug Court Model Participants: The Drug Court Model: -History of drug use -BJA’s 10 Criteria -Nonviolent crime -12 to 18 months -Must plead guilty -Random AOD testing -Resident of the county -Upon completion: no prison, felony expunged -Must have transportation Recovery -The drug court team 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 Vermont Chittenden • 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 Projected Drug Court Cost-Savings Over 5 Years as a Function of the Annual Number of New Participants $16,000,000 $14,000,000 100 new participants annually $12,000,000 Savings $10,000,000 $8,000,000 50 new participants annually $6,000,000 25 new participants annually $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 * 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