If Drug Treatment Works So Well, Why Are So Many Drug Users in Prison?

Harold Pollack, Peter Reuter and Eric L. Sevigny

No 16731, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: This paper examines the effectiveness of drug courts to reduce the size of the incarcerated drug-offending population using data from the Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities and the Survey of Inmates in Local Jails. We find that very few of those entering state prison in 2004 or jail in 2002 would have been eligible for drug diversion through state drug courts. The policy implication is that drug courts and other diversion programs require substantial redesign if they are to contribute to a reduction in the incarcerated population.

JEL-codes: G18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-01
Note: LE
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Published as If Drug Treatment Works So Well, Why Are So Many Drug Users in Prison? , Harold Pollack, Peter Reuter, Eric Sevigny. in Controlling Crime: Strategies and Tradeoffs , Cook, Ludwig, and McCrary. 2011

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