Community Engagement
Drug Treatment Courts Key to Criminal Justice System Reform Carol Carlson (MSW ’11) coordinates Milwaukee County’s Drug Treatment Court. Her interest in such courts began during her studies at HBSSW, when her internship in New Orleans connected her with graduates of that city’s drug treatment court. Excited by the concept, she worked with HBSSW’s Social Work Department to establish and participate in an internship with the Milwaukee Drug Treatment Court. That internship led to her current position as the court’s coordinator. The two federal grants that launched the court in 2009 each stipulated program evaluations. This vital expertise has been provided by HBSSW’s Center for Applied Behavioral Health
Drug treatment courts – which number about 2,000 nationwide – offer treatment to nonviolent offenders with drug problems. The goals: avoid costly incarceration, prevent crime and reduce recidivism.
Carol Carlson and Tom LeBel
Research (CABHR). A third grant received in 2012 extends the program through 2015. Today, Carlson works with leading members of HBSSW’s evaluation team: Michael Fendrich, Wisconsin distinguished professor and professor of social work and Thomas LeBel, CABHR scientist and associate professor of criminal justice. They are assisted by Gregory Powers, doctoral student, social work. “The number of drug treatment courts continues to grow,” explains LeBel. “As funding for corrections has taken up larger slices of most state budgets, it’s more important than ever to look for effective alternatives to incarceration.” The courts’ evaluators, LeBel says, provide empirical data to guide the courts in their approaches. Others on the drug court team include: a judge, prosecutors, public defenders, a Milwaukee Police Department law enforcement officer, a program coordinator and treatment professionals from the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. The services of Carlson and case managers are provided through JusticePoint, a Milwaukee-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting evidence-informed criminal justice policies, programs and practices. Studies show lower re-arrest rates among drug court participants when compared with offenders in traditional courts. “The fact that these courts are helping keep people out of prison makes them essential to criminal justice system reforms,” LeBel says.