| Dissatisfaction with recycling drug-addicted offenders through the criminal justice system has brought on innovative changes. With the implementation of Drug Treatment Courts (DTC), the roles, goals, and procedures of the court change in order to "close the revolving door on crime" by treating the addiction. This thesis explores the changes brought on by the DTC, focussing on judicial perspectives from 10 judges. Research reveals that all the interviewed judges embrace a rehabilitative approach for non-violent drug-addicted offenders, rather than a punitive approach of incarceration. The judges in the mainstream criminal courts are trying to deal with drug-addicted offenders more effectively but raise concerns, such as lack of treatment programs and probation officers. Instead, DTCs are equipped with the resources and provide intensive judicial supervision to resolve the flaws in the mainstream criminal justice system. While there are concerns noted about the DTC, the majority of the judges embrace the DTC and the new role of the DTC judge. Although DTCs may resolve some of the problems experienced in the mainstream criminal courts, broader barriers of both the mainstream criminal courts and the DTCs are discussed, including: drug laws, the division of governmental powers, political notions of justice, funding, and the media. While the judges and courts are changing to deal with the realities of drug-addicted offenders, other factors play a role in the judge's efforts to rehabilitate these offenders. |
