Predictive Factors of Drug Court Completion for Female Participants

Predictive Factors of Drug Court Completion for Female Participants by Shannon Shaw Jordan, LCSW-C, LICSW MSW, Saint Louis University, 2000 BSW, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University November 2019 Abstract Women comprise one of the fastest growing populations of the criminal justice system, yet little research exists concerning the success of these women completing a coed pretrial drug court diversion program. Trauma theory was applied to inform the variables in this quantitative correlational study. The predictive nature of age, educational level, marital status, violent criminal history, and mental health problems for women were examined in relation to completion of a coed pretrial drug court diversion program. A convenience sample from secondary, archival data was obtained from a criminal justice agency in Washington, DC. The dataset included women who participated in the program between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014. Logistic regression models were used to predict the likelihood of whether these women completed drug court and determine which independent variables were likely to increase or decrease the probability of program completion. Results of the study failed to yield statistically significant relationships between the variables examined. However, the findings indicate possible relationships between marriage and drug court completion, and postsecondary education and drug court completion, which require additional research. Implications for positive social change are drawn for other criminal justice agencies, drug courts, and administrators for enhancing program delivery and reducing women’s recidivism.Women comprise one of the fastest growing populations of the criminal justice system, yet little research exists concerning the success of these women completing a coed pretrial drug court diversion program. Trauma theory was applied to inform the variables in this quantitative correlational study. The predictive nature of age, educational level, marital status, violent criminal history, and mental health problems for women were examined in relation to completion of a coed pretrial drug court diversion program. A convenience sample from secondary, archival data was obtained from a criminal justice agency in Washington, DC. The dataset included women who participated in the program between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014. Logistic regression models were used to predict the likelihood of whether these women completed drug court and determine which independent variables were likely to increase or decrease the probability of program completion. Results of the study failed to yield statistically significant relationships between the variables examined. However, the findings indicate possible relationships between marriage and drug court completion, and postsecondary education and drug court completion, which require additional research. Implications for positive social change are drawn for other criminal justice agencies, drug courts, and administrators for enhancing program delivery and reducing women’s recidivism. Predictive Factors of Drug Court Completion for Female Participants by Shannon Shaw Jordan, LCSW-C, LICSW MSW, Saint Louis University, 2000 BSW, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 1995 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University November 2019 Dedication I dedicate this work to my beloved mother, the late Linda G. Shaw. Thank you for guiding and watching over me. I thank you for teaching me humility, perseverance, and confidence. To my father, James E. Shaw, Sr., who has shown me the importance of education and family. To my dear mother-in-law and father-in-law who both passed away during this journey. Thank you for your continuous encouragement and love. Lastly, I want to thank my incredible husband, Christopher P. Jordan, Sr., who stood by me so that I could achieve this amazing goal. I would not and could not have accomplished this without you! I am fortunate. Acknowledgments I would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Tracy Jackson and Dr. Jeffrey Harlow. A special thanks goes to Dr. Jackson for her relentless encouragement, support, and patience during this journey. You are the epitome of awesomeness and I am grateful to have had you as my committee chair. To my “Methods Man” Dr. Harlow, thank you for listening and sharing your knowledge. I admire your commitment to education. I would also like to thank all of my family and friends who helped me reach this academic achievement. Ra’Nijah, “Trey,” Avah, and Chris Jr., always remember: “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” (Aristole). Next, I would like to thank the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia for entrusting me with their records to conduct this research, and to the Office of Policy and Planning for your assistance with gathering data. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my “sisters,” Sonya, Myriam, Angela, Ubax, Kathy, Diane, and Dr. Juanita for believing in me.