Council Evaluation of Texas

CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY COUNCIL EVALUATION OF TEXAS DRUG COURTS, JANUARY 2003

Characteristics of drug courts in Texas:

  • Early identification of those whose offense relates to substance abuse
  • Regular meetings with the judge to monitor progress
  • Weekly alcohol and drug testing; reports to judge for violations
  • Access to a continuum of treatment and rehabilitative services
  • Case managers, judge and drug court teams work together

Drug courts are based on the belief that a combination of judicial monitoring and supervised treatment can be more effective in reducing drug usage and crime than treatment or judicial sanctions operating separately.

Drug court programs in Texas range from 12-18 months and are relatively inexpensive compared to residential treatment programs such as SAFPF.

This study involved:

  • 501 participants in drug courts in Dallas, Jefferson, Travis counties
  • 285 offenders who were eligible but did not opt in (comparison group)

Recidivism:

Offenders participating in drug courts have significantly lower arrest/incarceration rates than comparison offenders. Tracking participants for three years beginning 1998-99, revealed the following outcomes:

  • Offenders completing drug court programs had a 28.5 re-arrest rate three years after entry compared to 65.1% of those not completing the program and 56.8% of the comparison group
  • Offenders completing drug court programs had a 3.4% incarceration rate three years after entry compared to 21.4% of those not completing the program and 26.6% of the comparison group
  • Positive drug tests: only 9-11% of the offenders tested positive for illegal drugs at any time during program participation

Completion rates for the 3 programs averaged over 50%. Age is associated with program completion and recidivism rates; young offenders have lower completion rates and higher recidivism rates than older (25+ yoa) offenders.

Texas has operational drug courts in the following counties: Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Jefferson, Montgomery, Ft. Bend, Tarrant, Travis and Tom Green.