Browsing by Author "Adams, Sharyn"
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Item A State and National Overview of Methamphetamine Trends(Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 7/1/2019) Weisner, Lauren; Adams, SharynWhile most of the country has turned its attention to the opioid crisis, Illinois has seen a resurgence in methamphetamine misuse and related offending, particularly in rural areas. Researchers explored literature and data available on the extent and nature of state and national methamphetamine issues. Researchers found the arrest rate for methamphetamine-related offenses more than tripled between 2010 and 2017 in Illinois and the number of individuals in Illinois prisons for methamphetamine offenses increased 67 percent between 2012 and 2018. Further, treatment admissions for methamphetamine increased five-fold between 2000 and 2017.Item Alternative Sentencing for Drug Offenses: An Evaluation of the First Offender Call Unified for Success (FOCUS) Program(Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, Center for Justice Research and Evaluation, 2022-07) Reichert, Jessica; Adams, Sharyn; McGurick, Morgan; Weisner, LaurenThousands are convicted for drug possession offenses in Illinois each year and many are sent to prison. Research indicates incarceration cannot effectively reduce drug use or drug crime and is not cost effective (Caulkins, et al., 1997; Green & Winik, 2010; PEW, 2015; PEW, 2018; Schiraldi et al., 2000). Therefore, many states have invested in alternative sentencing or specialized programming for individuals convicted of drug crimes. In this evaluation, we examined DuPage County’s First Offender Call Unified for Success (FOCUS) program. The FOCUS program serves individuals charged with a felony drug possession for the first time. The program is an alternative to prison with the dismissal of charges upon completion. The program incorporates specialized drug probation caseloads with treatment and services, a program-specific court docket with one designated judge, and drug and alcohol educational sessions. This program is fairly unique as individuals convicted of felony drug offenses are often excluded from alternative programming (Belenko et al., 2013).Item Alternative Sentencing for Drug Offenses: An Evaluation of the First Offender Call Unified for Success (FOCUS) Program(Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, Center for Justice Research and Evaluation, 2022-07) Weisner, Lauren; Reichert, Jessica; Adams, Sharyn; McGurik, MorganThousands are convicted for drug possession offenses in Illinois each year and many are sent to prison. Research indicates incarceration cannot effectively reduce drug use or drug crime and is not cost effective (Caulkins, et al., 1997; Green & Winik, 2010; PEW, 2015; PEW, 2018; Schiraldi et al., 2000). Therefore, many states have invested in alternative sentencing or specialized programming for individuals convicted of drug crimes. In this evaluation, we examined DuPage County’s First Offender Call Unified for Success (FOCUS) program. The FOCUS program serves individuals charged with a felony drug possession for the first time. The program is an alternative to prison with the dismissal of charges upon completion. The program incorporates specialized drug probation caseloads with treatment and services, a program-specific court docket with one designated judge, and drug and alcohol educational sessions. This program is fairly unique as individuals convicted of felony drug offenses are often excluded from alternative programming (Belenko et al., 2013).Item Criminal Justice System Utilization in Rural Areas(Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), 2020) Weisner, Lauren; Otto, H. Douglas; Adams, Sharyn; Reichert, JessicaCriminal justice systems operating in rural areas have been overlooked and under-researched, creating an emphasis on urban criminal justice system knowledge and recommendations. In addition, many rural areas have fewer social and behavioral health services, longer travel distances for service appointments and corresponding transportation issues, a small pool of criminal justice practitioners, and outdated technology and infrastructure. Researchers explored literature on rural crime and criminal justice systems in Illinois and nationally and examined state data trends. Findings indicate Illinois’ rural counties utilized the justice system more than urban counties, with higher rates of drug arrests, criminal court cases filed, probation caseloads, and prison admissions and exits. (Author Abstract)Item Criminal Justice System Utilization in Rural Areas(Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 3/18/2020) Weisner, Lauren; Otto, H. Douglas; Adams, Sharyn; Reichert, JessicaCriminal justice systems operating in rural areas have been overlooked and under-researched, creating an emphasis on urban criminal justice system knowledge and recommendations. In addition, many rural areas have fewer social and behavioral health services, longer travel distances for service appointments and corresponding transportation issues, a small pool of criminal justice practitioners, and outdated technology and infrastructure. Researchers explored literature on rural crime and criminal justice systems in Illinois and nationally and examined state data trends. Findings indicate Illinois' rural counties utilized the justice system more than urban counties, with higher rates of drug arrests, criminal court cases filed, probation caseloads, and prison admissions and exits.Item Evaluation of the Development of a Multijurisdictional Police-Led Program to Assist Victims of Violent Crime(Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, Center for Justice Research and Evaluation, 2023-01) Reichert, Jessica; Otto, H Douglas; Adams, Sharyn; Sanchez, JuliaEast St. Louis, Illinois has experienced high rates of violent crime including homicide. In 2019, the city’s homicide rate was 137 per 100,000 residents, which was considerably higher than the state rate and the Chicago rate (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2019). Victims of violent crime may have many service needs, such as behavioral health counseling, medical care, legal services, housing, and financial assistance (Aeffect, Inc., 2017). Many crime victims come to the attention of police, so a program was developed in East St. Louis to refer victims to services they need. The East St. Louis Community Engagement Response Team (ESL-CERT) was created to refer victims of crime to necessary services using a law enforcement task force (composed of dedicated Illinois State Police officers) working on violent crime cases in East St. Louis.Item Evaluation of the Task Deflection Academy: Training for Law Enforcement-Led Deflection Program Staff(Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, Center for Justice Research and Evaluation, 2023-01) Reichert, Jessica; Otto, H Douglas; Adams, SharynLaw enforcement-led deflection programs redirect individuals with behavioral health or other needs to treatment and services. The field of deflection is still relatively new and practitioners are still developing best practices to train program staff and stakeholders. We evaluated the Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) Deflection Academy, a five-day training program on effective ways to offer deflection services in the community. The evaluation was designed to gather information on training activities and participants, measure knowledge gains, and solicit participant feedback. We conducted field observations and administered surveys, including a pre and post-training test. The findings suggested participants found role-play activities to be helpful and that participants increased deflection-related knowledge. We recommended partnering with local subject matter experts, providing additional training on domestic violence and client data privacy, and covering topics most germane to the programs and clients.Item Guiding Officers to Defelct Citizens to Treatment: An Examination of Police Department Policies in Illinois(Health and Justice Journal, Biomed Central, Springer Nature, 2023-02) Reichert, Jessica; Adams, Sharyn; Taylor, Jirka; del Pozo, BrandonThe U.S. overdose crisis has motivated police departments to enact policies allowing ofcers to directly defect individuals to substance use disorder treatment and other services shown to reduce recidivism and subse quent overdose risk, as well as refer people who voluntarily present at police facilities with a desire for treatment. As a new way of operating, and one that relies on an ofcer’s use of discretion for successful implementation, the practice benefts from guidance through written directives, training, and supervisory support. However, there is little infor mation on the establishment, content, and execution of police department defection policies, which hampers the implementation and dissemination of this promising practice.Item Issues in Policing Rural Areas: A Review of the Literature(Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), 2020) Weisner, Lauren; Otto, H. Douglas; Adams, SharynCriminal justice issues are typically studied in urban rather than rural areas. This represents an important deficit in the understanding of policing issues, as most police departments are in rural jurisdictions. Research indicates rural police departments often operate with fewer resources, lower staffing levels, and more inferior technology than their urban counterparts. Other research shows urban and rural officers experience different sources of job-related stress and its manifestations. As such, further research is needed to determine the extent of these differences so that solutions tailored to address the needs of small rural departments and their officers may be better implemented. (Author Abstract)