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: -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

Vermont Chittenden Recidivism: % 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 $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