Thesis Format Review - Robin Moussa

Author:

Moussa, Robin Elizabeth

Area of Honors:

Criminology

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type:

Thesis

Thesis Supervisors:

Dr. Lecinda Marie Yevchak, Thesis Supervisor
Dr. Stacy Silver, Thesis Honors Advisor

Keywords:

drug court
dui court
drug policy
criminology
alcoholism

Abstract:

The increasing prevalence of DUI court programs, a relatively new phenomenon in the criminal justice landscape, is changing our national response to DUI offenses. DUI courts target repeat offenders and use a non-adversarial approach that emphasizes treatment and accountability to reduce DUI recidivism. This study, an analysis of data collected from the Centre County DUI Court program, explores the relationships between age, gender, self-perceptions of alcoholism, intended future drinking behaviors, and graduation among program participants. The sample includes 50 past participants of the program from the years 2015 and 2016. Personal information about participants was gathered at the time of entrance into the program, and information related to outcomes such as graduation and revocation was added later based on court records. Results indicate that offenders who begin drug court not identifying themselves as alcoholic are more likely to intend to resume drinking behavior following graduation and probation. A review of the literature in combination with the results and limitations of this study indicates several potential avenues for future DUI court research.