Best Practices for Supervision and Engagement in Recovery Courts

Research on Problem Solving courts since their inception in 1989 has shown they can be effective in reducing recidivism of high risk and high need individuals if those courts employ specific components. One of the components is supervision commensurate with an assessed level of risk for the individual. Additionally, over the same period research on justice involved populations has informed community supervision has practices, identifying those practices associated with recidivism reduction. Those practices shift community supervision away from a model primarily focused on surveillance and compliance, to one that prioritizes engagement, accountability, and behavior change.  Those objectives fit perfectly into the operation of Recovery Courts as part of an interdisciplinary team. During this session, JSI Vice President Mack Jenkins will highlight best practices for the supervision role on a Recovery Court team, to support treatment engagement and recovery.