Introduction Philosophies informing the role of the criminal justice system have developed and changed throughout American history. While originally viewed as predominantly penal in nature, the modern justice system frequently utilizes reintegration and rehabilitation programs such as probation and job training in lieu of or in conjunction with traditional incarceration policies. Criminal justice officials hope that such programs will reduce the number of re-offenders, thereby reducing the strain on America’s overburdened criminal justice system. One of the more popular emerging practices is the adoption of problem-solving courts, courts that seek to address issues that contribute to high probability of re-offense such as drug use and mental illness. The first U.S. problem-solving courts opened in the early 1990’s and there are several thousand courts in operation today (Bureau of Justice Assistance 2014). In 2008, the McLean County, IL Court system experienced unprecedented rates of incarceration. The resultant overcrowding stressed the county’s financial resources and placed additional burdens on court and jail staff. In response to significant criticisms in the wake of 2008, the county formulated a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) comprised of several key criminal justice agencies and partners. The CJCC aims to research and implement evidenced-based best practices that fair and just outcomes, improve public safety, “provide reduce recidivism, and responsibly use resources for the benefit of McLean County residents.” There are nineteen permanent members of the CJCC board including the Chief Circuit Judge, County Sheriff and State’s Attorney (McLean County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council). 2008, the CJCC and its county collaborators have rapidly expanded the availability of pre and post-trial services, including specialty courts. The effects of court-based programs have been studied nationally; however, few efforts have been made to assess outcomes at the
Introduction Philosophies informing the role of the criminal justice system have developed and changed throughout American history. While originally viewed as predominantly penal in nature, the modern justice system frequently utilizes reintegration and rehabilitation programs such as probation and job training in lieu of or in conjunction with traditional incarceration policies. Criminal justice officials hope that such programs will reduce the number of re-offenders, thereby reducing the strain on America’s overburdened criminal justice system. One of the more popular emerging practices is the adoption of problem-solving courts, courts that seek to address issues that contribute to high probability of re-offense such as drug use and mental illness. The first U.S. problem-solving courts opened in the early 1990’s and there are several thousand courts in operation today (Bureau of Justice Assistance 2014). In 2008, the McLean County, IL Court system experienced unprecedented rates of incarceration. The resultant overcrowding stressed the county’s financial resources and placed additional burdens on court and jail staff. In response to significant criticisms in the wake of 2008, the county formulated a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) comprised of several key criminal justice agencies and partners. The CJCC aims to research and implement evidenced-based best practices that “provide fair and just outcomes, improve public safety, reduce recidivism, and responsibly use resources for the benefit of McLean County residents.” There are nineteen permanent members of the CJCC board including the Chief Circuit Judge, County Sheriff and State’s Attorney (McLean County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council). 2008, the CJCC and its county collaborators have rapidly expanded the availability of pre and post-trial services, including specialty courts. The effects of court-based programs have been studied nationally; however, few efforts have been made to assess outcomes at the
Neaves_Road_to_Recidivism.docx