DANE COUNTY Treatment Instead of Incarceration. 2453 Atwood Ave, UNIT 210, Madison, WI 53704
Criminal justice involvement and incarceration occur disproportionately among African-Americans vs. other ethnic groups in the U.S. In 2001, the lifetime rate of prison time for African-American males was nearly 17%, over six times higher than the lifetime rate for Caucasian males.(Bonczar 2003) African-American females were similarly over-represented (nearly 6 times more likely to be incarcerated) when compared to their white counterparts. Between nine and ten percent of U.S. African-American males age 15–29 were in prison at year-end 2003. This contrasts starkly from 1.1% of white males, and 2.6% of Hispanic males in the same age group.(Harrison and Beck 2006)
Drug treatment courts (DTCs) provide substance abuse treatment and case management services to offenders with substance use disorders as an alternative to incarceration. Studies indicate that African-Americans less frequently complete DTC programming. The current study analyzed data from the Dane County Drug Treatment Court (n = 573). The study ascertained factors associated with failure to complete treatment among African- American DTC participants. Significant factors were unemployment (p = 0.011), previous criminal history (p = 0.013), and, possibly, the presence of a cocaine use disorder (p = 0.064). Treatment plans for DTC participants should incorporate services addressing needs specific to African- Americans, who are over-represented in the U.S. correctional system. The current results indicate that employment, prior corrections involvement, and the presence of a cocaine use disorder may be specific issues to consider.
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