An Analysis of Factors Related to Drug Court Treatment-Program Completion Rates

Date

2011-05

Authors

Smith, Barbara

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Abstract

Over the past twenty years, drug courts were develop with goals to rehabilitate offenders in terms of criminality and drug dependency. In sending criminal defendants to treatment programs rather than to prison, these courts promise to meet the needs of defendants while reducing recidivism rates and costs. This study evaluates 290 Felony Drug Court participants in a large city in Texas to determine factors that are related to drug court completion. This study examines the drug court program through the lens of strain theory in order to understand its effectiveness as a rehabilitative effort for the substance-abusing participant. The data are analyzed using bivariate analysis and descriptive analysis. Results from the present study indicate that the variables that predict success include employment and marital status. Participants who were employed and married are more likely to complete the program. Limitations of this study and recommendations for future research are discussed.

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Keywords

Drug Court, Factors to drug court completion

Citation

Smith, B. (2011). <i>An analysis of factors related to drug court treatment-program completion rates</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.

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