Drug Court and Recidivism - Dissertation Example

“Between 1980 and 1993, American prison and jail populations tripled, much of the increase due to the increased number of drug convictions and longer sentences for drug offenses” (Armstrong 2003, p. 138).  In 1994 alone drug trafficking and conviction accounted for 31.4% of felony convictions nationwide (12.5% for possession and 19% for trafficking).   Further, between 1980 and 1989 arrest for drug offenses rose 134% (Armstrong 2003, p. 140). Frustrated with the inability to control the seemingly unstoppable drug trade and increased, repeated drug abuse, the Chief Justice of the 11th Judicial Circuit in mid-1989 set in motion a series of events that would revolutionize the methodology used by the courts to deal with the drug problem within the United States.

  The Drug Court had been born.“Between 1980 and 1993, American prison and jail populations tripled, much of the increase due to the increased number of drug convictions and longer sentences for drug offenses” (Armstrong 2003, p. 138).  In 1994 alone drug trafficking and conviction accounted for 31.4% of felony convictions nationwide (12.5% for possession and 19% for trafficking).   Further, between 1980 and 1989 arrest for drug offenses rose 134% (Armstrong 2003, p. 140). Frustrated with the inability to control the seemingly unstoppable drug trade and increased, repeated drug abuse, the Chief Justice of the 11th Judicial Circuit in mid-1989 set in motion a series of events that would revolutionize the methodology used by the courts to deal with the drug problem within the United States.

  The Drug Court had been born. The innovativeness of this new court was an entire paradigm shift.  No longer was the traditional method of law and order accomplished with regard to drug offenses.  Traditionally when a defendant came before the court on drug charges, their sentence might have entailed entering a drug treatment program as a condition of probation.  Drug Court is different. In comparison to traditional sentencing procedures, “treatment is anchored in the authority of the judge who holds the defendant or offender personally and publicly accountable for treatment progress” (Travis 1995b, p. 1). This success of this program initiated in Miami, Florida in 1989, gave hope to 20 other jurisdictions nationwide.

  Between 1991 and 1993 similar Drug Courts were set up throughout the nation (Travis 1995b).  The initial success was demonstrated when in 1993 the first National Drug Court Conference was held in Miami in December of that year.  400 attendees, among them judges, lawyers, and drug treatment specialists, set about defining the crucial elements in setting up a successful Drug Court.