A new bulletin has collated the latest additions to the Effectiveness Bank. All the entries are
about reducing crime and drug use among drug-related offenders. First two show probation officers
can be trained to implement risk-need-responsivity principles with consequent crime reductions. Next
two review the evidence for specialist courts dealing with drug using offenders. Finally, one reason
why this evidence is variable - how courts operate does make a difference. To view the whole
bulletin click this link:
http://findings.org.uk/docs/bulletins/Bull_10_04_12.php
or click the links below to view an entry in the bulletin. If clicking does not work, paste the link
in to your web browser address box, being sure to enter the whole address.
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CRIME LOWER AMONG CLIENTS OF PROBATION OFFICERS TRAINED TO TAILOR SUPERVISION
For the first time this Canadian randomised study has shown that training probation officers in the
risk-need-responsivity model of offender supervision can not only improve their skills and sharpen
their practice, but also reduce the recidivism of the offenders they supervise, among whom substance
use was a major issue.
http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Bonta_J_1.txt
*new* ADJUSTING SENTENCING TO OFFENDER NEED AND RISK REDUCES CRIME
Drug-involved offenders have different needs related to their offending (in particular for addiction
treatment) and pose different levels of risk for a return to crime after usual sentencing options.
This US study confirmed that needs and risk are independent dimensions which can be measured and
used to adjust sentencing to reduce recidivism.
http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Marlowe_DB_14.cab
EXTENSIVE REVIEW BEMOANS EVIDENCE QUALITY BUT SUPPORTS DRUG COURTS
Synthesising the results of 154 studies, this thorough and extensive investigation of the
crime-reduction credentials of drug courts finds the evidence bulky but lacking quality, yet
sufficient to support courts for adult illegal drug users.
http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Mitchell_O_3.txt
*new* US CONGRESS EXPENDITURE WATCHDOG ENDORSES DRUG COURTS
Recent US drug court studies reviewed for the US Congress by its audit and evaluation arm support
their crime-reduction credentials, though most studies were pronounced methodologically weak.
Benefits usually but not always outweighed costs.
http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=GAO_2.cab
WAYS TO MAKE DRUG COURTS MORE EFFECTIVE AND MORE COST-EFFECTIVE
Latest in an impressively coherent and persistent series of studies of how US courts specialising in
supervision and treatment of drug-related offenders can do more to reduce drug use and crime and
conserve resources. Triaging offenders to more or less intensive programmes and then adjusting based
on actual progress led to significant improvements.
http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Marlowe_DB_15.txt
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Effectiveness Bank alerts are provided by Drug and Alcohol Findings (http://findings.org.uk) to
alert you to site updates and recent UK-relevant evaluation studies and reviews of drug/alcohol
interventions. Findings is managed by DrugScope, Alcohol Concern and the National Addiction Centre.
The Effectiveness Bank is supported by Alcohol Research UK.
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