Cooperation and Collaboration in the ACT Drug Court

Prof. Meredith Rossner1, Prof. Lorana Bartels2

1Australian National University, Centre for Social Research and Methods, Canberra, Australia
2Australian National University, Centre for Social Research and Methods, Canberra, Australia

In this paper, we present some preliminary findings from an ongoing qualitative process evaluation of the Australian Capital Territory’s newly developed ‘drug court’ (the Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List).  While there have been numerous evaluations of drug courts in Australia and globally, much can still be learned from in-depth qualitative research on the development and implementation of such courts, from the perspective of both participants and professional stakeholders. We explore elements of the drug court journey, including how relationships between participants and case managers are developed and sustained, and how users navigate challenges. We set this journey in the broader context of introducing and implementing new legislation to reform criminal justice institutions.


Biography:

Meredith Rossner is Professor of Criminology at the Centre for Social Research & Methods at the ANU.   Her research focuses on the role of emotions, rituals, the built environment, and technology in justice practices.   Past and current projects include investigations into the emotional dynamics of restorative justice, therapeutic courts, the dynamics of jury deliberation, the role of courtroom design on access to justice, and the use of video technology in courts.

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