Payne County Drug Court Inc: a Structural and Processural Evaluation of Therapeutic Jurisprudence

Abstract

This thesis serves as a case study program evaluation of Payne County Drug Court, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Utilizing the qualitative methods of textual analysis, participant observations, and semi-structured interviews this thesis identifies and evaluates therapeutic jurisprudence in both the structure and process of the drug court. While providing a description of the drug court, this thesis emphasizes the role of the single structure system, case manager, and discourse. Through the use of a logic model this thesis finds that the drug court is therapeutically grounded, and the drug court staff and process are the most therapeutic mechanisms of the court. This thesis bridges a gap in the literature between design, implementation, and outcome. It also provides the necessary foundation to meaningfully evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of Payne County Drug Court Inc.