Maryland Statewide Drug Court Evaluation

Research Questions: This project provided feedback on program effectiveness for drug courts in Maryland, including adult drug treatment courts, juvenile drug treatment courts, family recovery programs, and DUI courts. The research questions were:
1. How does each drug court program in Maryland implement the 10 key components of drug courts?
2. Do drug courts reduce recidivism?
3. Do drug courts reduce substance use?
4. Do drug courts save human service system resources compared to traditional court processing?

Project Design: NPC provided technical assistance and feedback to programs, and performed process, outcome and cost studies. The process evaluations used qualitative analyses, on-site observations, focus groups with participants (and parents when applicable), key stakeholder interviews, and reviews of program documentation. The outcome studies looked at archival data from drug court programs, probation and parole, treatment, and jail/prison detention. Cost studies gathered information from budget records and key stakeholder interviews and compared the investment and outcome costs of drug courts and traditional court processing. Outcome and cost studies used a quasi-experimental design that included a sample of drug court participants and a comparison group of individuals with similar characteristics who did not participate in the drug court program. NPC used the Transactional and Institutional Cost Analysis (TICA) approach for cost studies.

Funding Source: Office of Problem-Solving Courts, Administrative Office of the Courts of the State of Maryland

Start Date: February 2007 for the current contract

Project Team

Co-Principal Investigators

• Juliette R. Mackin, Ph.D.
• Michael W. Finigan, Ph.D.
• Shannon M. Carey, Ph.D.

Project Director

• Juliette R. Mackin, Ph.D.

Project Staff

• Jennifer A. Aborn, B.A.
• Theresa Herrera Allen, Ph.D.
• Mark S. Waller, B.A.
• Judy M. Weller, B.S.

Reports and Publications

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Jan. 2010). Montgomery County Adult Drug Court Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Jan. 2010). St. Mary's County Juvenile Drug Court Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Herrera Allen, T., Waller, M. S., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Jan. 2010). Baltimore County Juvenile Drug Court Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Jan. 2010). Anne Arundel County Juvenile Treatment Court Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Jan. 2010). Howard County District Court Drug Treatment Court Program Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Weller, J. M., & Linhares, B. (Dec. 2009). Maryland Problem-Solving Courts Evaluation, Phase III: Integration of Results from Process, Outcome, and Cost Studies Conducted 2007-2009. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Dec. 2009). Wicomico County Circuit Court Adult Drug Treatment Court Program Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Dec. 2009). Howard County District Court DUI Court Program Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Herrera Allen, T., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Dec. 2009). Anne Arundel County DUI Court Program Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Dec. 2009). Baltimore City Circuit Court Adult Drug Treatment Court and Felony Diversion Initiative: Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Lucas, L. M., Lambarth, C. H., Waller, M. S., Weller, J. M., Aborn, J. A., Linhares, R., Allen, T. L., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (June 2009). Baltimore City District Court Adult Drug Treatment Court 10-Year Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Linhares, R., Weller, J. M., & James, D. (April 2009). Harford County Circuit Court Adult Drug Court Process Evaluation . A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Allen, T. L., & James, D. (April 2009). Dorchester County (District) Adult Drug Treatment Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Weller, J. M., Mackin, R., & James, D. (March 2009). Worcester County Juvenile Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Allen, T. L., & James, D. (Jan. 2009). Anne Arundel County (Circuit) Adult Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Mackin, R., Weller, J. M., & James, D. (Jan. 2009). Charles County Juvenile Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Lucas, L. M., Strong, S. E., & Waller, M. S. (Oct. 2008). Prince George's County Circuit Court Adult Drug Court Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Linhares, R., & James, D. (Oct. 2008). Calvert County Juvenile Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Allen, T. L., Linhares, R., & James, D. (Sept. 2008). Somerset County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Mackin, R., Weller, J. M., & James, D. (Aug. 2008). Worcester County Adult Circuit and District Drug Treatment Courts Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Martin, S. J., Linhares, R., Weller, J. M., & James, D. (Aug. 2008). Howard County Adult Drug/DUI Court (District Court) Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Martin, S. J., Linhares, R., Weller, J. M., & James, D. (Aug. 2008). Montgomery County Adult Drug Court (Circuit Court) Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Burrus, S. W. M., Mackin, J. R., & Aborn, J. A. (Aug. 2008). Baltimore City Family Recovery Program (FRC) Independent Evaluation: Outcome and Cost Report. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Allen, T. L., Linhares, R., & James, D. (Aug. 2008). Cecil County Adult Drug Treatment Court (Circuit Court) Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Lucas, L. M., Strong, S. E., & Waller, M. S. (April 2008). Harford County District Court Adult Drug Court, Outcome and Cost Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report | Fact Sheet

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Allen, T. L., Linhares, R., & James, D. (April 2008). Wicomico County Adult Drug Treatment Court (Circuit Court) Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Linhares, R., & Mackin, J. R. (Feb. 2008). Calvert County Circuit Court Juvenile Drug Court, Pre-Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Linhares, R., & Mackin, J. R. (Feb. 2008). Harford County Circuit Court Adult Drug Court, Pre-Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Linhares, R., & Mackin, J. R. (Jan. 2008). Prince George’s County District Court Adult Drug Court, Pre-Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Linhares, R., Mackin, J. R., & James, D. (Jan. 2008). Somerset County Juvenile Drug Court, Pre-Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Linhares, R., & Mackin, J. R. (Jan. 2008). Carroll County Circuit Court Adult Drug Court, Pre-Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Allen, T. L., Linhares, R., & James, D. (Nov. 2007). Frederick County Drug Treatment Court (Circuit Court) Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Martin, S. J., Linhares, R., & Weller, J. M. (Oct. 2007). Montgomery County Juvenile Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Linhares, R., Weller, J. M., & Mackin, R. J. (Sept. 2007). Prince George’s County Juvenile Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts, & the Maryland Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Mackin, R. J., Linhares, R., & Weller, J. M. (Sept. 2007). Talbot County Juvenile Drug Court, Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Crumpton, D., Mackin, J. R., Weller, J. M., Linhares, R., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (Sept. 2007). Baltimore City Drug Treatment Court (Adult Offenders in District Court) Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Martin, S. J., Linhares, R., & Weller, J. M. (Aug. 2007). Dorchester County Juvenile Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Crumpton, D., Mackin, J. R., Weller, J. M., Linhares, R., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (July 2007). Harford County Adult District Drug Court Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Carey, S. M., Finigan, M. W., Allen, T. L., Linhares, R., & Weller, J. M. (July 2007). Caroline County Juvenile Drug Court Process Evaluation, Final Report. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Crumpton, D., Mackin, J. R., Weller, J. M., Linhares, R., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (July 2007). Baltimore City Drug Treatment Court (Adult Offenders in Circuit Court) Process Evaluation. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Crumpton, D., Weller, J. M., Linhares, R., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (June 2007). Prince George’s County Circuit Court Adult Drug Court Process Evaluation, Final Report. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Mackin, J. R., Crumpton, D., Weller, J. M., Linhares, R., Carey, S. M., & Finigan, M. W. (March 2007). Anne Arundel County Adult Drug Court (District Court) Process Evaluation, Final Report. A report to the Maryland Judiciary, Office of Problem-Solving Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Pukstas, K. (Nov. 3, 2006). Evaluation Design Challenges on the East Coast: A Tale of Two Drug Courts. Presented at the annual conference of the American Evaluation Association: Portland, OR. Powerpoint

Pukstas, K., Weller, J. M., Brekhus, J., Crumpton, D., Carey, S. M., Mackin, J. R., & Finigan, M. W. (Oct. 2006). Harford County Juvenile Drug Court Performance Evaluation: Program Process, Outcome and Cost Analyses: Final Report. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Pukstas, K., Weller, J. M., Brekhus, J., Crumpton, D., Carey, S. M., Mackin, J. R., & Finigan, M. W. (Oct. 2006). Baltimore City Juvenile Drug Court Performance Evaluation: Program Process, Outcome and Cost Analyses: Final Report. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report

Pukstas, K., Weller, J. M., Brekhus, J., Crumpton, D., Carey, S. M., Mackin, J. R., & Finigan, M. W. (Feb. 2006). Maryland Drug Treatment Courts: Interim Report of the Effectiveness of Juvenile Drug Courts. NPC Research: Portland, OR. Report