Wyoming
Court Supervised Treatment Program (f.k.a Drug Court)
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF COURT SUPERVISED TREATMENT PROGRAM?
The purpose of a Court Supervised Treatment Program (CST Program) is to offer the participants the opportunity to obtain adequate and appropriate treatment that will facilitate and promote a lifestyle of recovery, thereby reducing the number of repeat offenders and reducing overcrowding in our detention centers.
WHO ARE KEY PLAYERS IN A COURT SUPERVISED TREATMENT PROGRAM?
A CST Program is unique in bringing the facilitating agencies to the same table for the benefit of the offender. The CST Program judge, coordinator, prosecutor, public defender, treatment providers, law enforcement, and other agencies work together in collaboration to encourage the offender’s success. This collaborative effort also extends outside of the courtroom to other agencies helping the offender such as social services staff, health providers, job training representatives and others. The strength and effectiveness of a drug court lies in the communication between involved players.
What is the COURT SUPERVISED TREATMENT PROGRAM model
The CST Program model incorporates the following components: 1) rapid intervention; 2) quick case processing; 3) regularized judicial interaction with offenders; 4) team decision-making approach; 5) immediate access to treatment; 6) supervision; and 7) therapeutic jurisprudence.
WHY A COURT SUPERVISED TREATMENT PROGRAM?
CST Programs were created to address:
- an increase in drug offenses and criminal case filings;
- overwhelming caseloads for courts, prosecution and defense;
- ineffective resolution as a result of plea bargaining;
- revolving-door justice;
- over-crowded prisons;
- an increase in spending on prison costs;
- the cycle of addiction; and
- future felony activity by creating an intervention at the misdemeanor level
- Having a CST Program in place will allow corrective actions to be taken when a drug or alcohol offender is identified through the judicial system
- A CST Program will interrupt the repetitive cycle of an offender by using rehabilitative measures
- Rehabilitating an individual will save taxpayer dollars in several different ways:
- Treatment costs are less than jail costs
- Less crime will be committed to support substance abuse habits
- Less insurance costs
- Offenders become working citizens who pay taxes instead of using tax dollars
How are CST Programs different than a regular court?
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Regular Court
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CST Programs
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Adversarial Approach
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Therapeutic Jurisprudence
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Judge (Impartial)
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Problem-Solving Approach
Judge (Team leader)
Prosecutor (collaboration)
Defense Attorney (collaboration)
Adds additional members to team
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Prosecutor (public safety)
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No plea bargaining (Judge is involved)
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Defense Attorney (constitutional rights)
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No Trials (Hearing only if expelled/terminated)
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Plea Bargaining
Negotiation b/w prosecutor and defense
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Successful completion of the CSP program can result in dismissal of the charges
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Trials and/or Sentencing
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Graduation
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CST PROGRAM GOALS
o The goals of the programs funded under the CST Program Act are as follows:
o Reduce recidivism by participants;
o Strive for program retention and graduation of participants;
o Strive for sobriety of participants; and
o Monitor the services provided to participants
o Retaining clients in treatment
o Treatment is a court requirement
o Intensive supervision
o Frequent judicial hearings provide constant oversight and help promote positive pro-social relationships
o Behavioral model
o Participants are given sanctions and incentives coordinated with their behavior
o Ancillary services
o Needs of the “whole” person are addressed
o These may include: employment, education, mental health, and medical treatment
TYPES OF COURT SUPERVISED TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN WYOMING.
At a national level, there are many different types of drug courts (e.g. adult, juvenile and family, tribal, DUI, re-entry courts, campus courts, mental health courts, etc.). In Wyoming, however, there are four (4) categories. Adult, Juvenile/Family, Tribal and DUI.
ELIGIBILITY AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
In Wyoming, each CST Program operates independently in determining eligibility, procedure, incentives and sanctions for participants. Generally, a participant must typically meet the following eligibility to be admitted to a CST Program and the following graduation requirements must be met to be dismissed from the program.
Typical Eligibility Requirements:
o The participant must have plead guilty;
o The participant must submit to a substance abuse evaluation;
o The participant is monitored by “supervised” probation;
o The participant cannot be accused of a violent felony;
o The prosecuting and defense attorneys must “agree” to allow participation by the accused;
o The participant must consent to participate in the drug court program;
o The local CST Program team must agree to admit the participant.
Typical Graduation requirements:
o Require successful completion of the ordered treatment program
o Require a minimum of 12 months participation
o No drug or alcohol use for a minimum period of at least 12 months
o Participants must pay fees, fines and/or restitution and contribute to the cost of their program
o Must be employed or attending school
o No new criminal activity
o The participant must demonstrate he/she is able to live a clean and sober lifestyle