Evaluation of Nebraska’s Probation Problem Solving Courts

Authors

Date of this Version

2008

Comments

Published by the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, (2008), 1-113

Abstract

Eight Nebraska problem solving courts were examined for this evaluation: three adult drug courts, four juvenile drug courts, and one young adult problem solving court. The key questions intended to be addressed through this evaluation included the following:

1. To what extent do problem-solving courts serve appropriate persons, specifically in relation to risk classification?

2. How do the demographic characteristics of participants compare to the general population and other offenders?

3. To what extent do policies and procedures adhere to the proposed problem solving court rules

4. How do policies and procedures compare across courts?

5. What are possible areas of improvement, particularly in court procedures, treatment and ongoing program evaluation?

6. What are the participant outcomes, and to what extent are these outcomes associated with participant characteristics and program elements?

The evaluation used a variety of methods to answer these questions including a review of the literature and Nebraska problem solving court documentation, courtroom observations, focus groups and interviews, and analysis of data from the state probation information system. Quantitative information for this study was collected for the time period January 2006 through June 2007. Information about policies, practices and perceptions about problem solving court operations was collected during the summer of 2007. Therefore, this evaluation provides analysis for a particular period of time and does not reflect subsequent changes in problem solving courts.