Comparative analysis of drug courts : effectiveness of sentencing an offender to treatment and rehabilitation

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the efficacy of the Mahoning County Felony Drug Court [MCFDC] in Mahoning County, Ohio compared to offenders placed on Intervention in Lieu of Conviction supervision [ILC]. It is important to analyze the criminal justice system response to the increase in drug use and drug related crime throughout the United States. The MCFDC’s mission is to provide offenders a positive diversion from the ongoing substance abuse addiction and incarceration through treatment, supervision, accountability, and standard contact with their drug court judge, by providing the tools to live a drug free lifestyle and crime free future. Secondary data analyses were used from a total of 410 offenders who completed supervision from 2011 to 2014 in the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Specifically, 178 offenders were in the MCFDC program and 232 offenders were on ILC supervision. The MCFDC holds offenders liable for their actions by having weekly status review hearings, random urine screens, and providing incentives and sanctions based on their behavior. As expected, results reveal that 66% of offenders in the MCFDC graduated from the program, where as 45% successfully completed ILC supervision. These findings can enlighten judges on the effectiveness of drug courts and provide alternative sentencing options for drug-addicted offenders.