Drug Courts for DWI Offenders?: The Effectiveness of Two Hybrid Drug Courts on DWI Offenders.

Source: (2010) Journal of Criminal Justice. 38(1):25-33.

The effectiveness of drug courts for illegal drug-involved offenders has been well documented (Belenko, 1998, 2001; Wilson, Mitchell, & MacKenzie, 2006); however, few studies had examined whether they work for repeat “driving while intoxicated” (DWI) or “driving under the influence” (DUI) offenders. The current study examined 66 offenders who had completed one of two hybrid DUI/drug courts (compared to 86 similar parolees) operating in two small cities in a single Midwestern State. Results suggested that among non-DUI offenders, completion of the drug court program reduced recidivism, as might be expected; however, among the subsample of chronic DUI offenders no significant recidivism reduction was noted. These results add to the small, but growing literature suggesting that DUI courts (as they are currently being implemented) may not be an effective way to reduce the occurrence of repeat DUI offenses. Suggestions for DUI court implementation and future research are presented. (Abstract courtesy of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.gov).