Problem-Solving Courts, Criminal Justice, and the International Gold Standard: Reframing the English and Welsh Drug Courts

This book evaluates the Manchester Review Court, a problem-solving court in England, and compares it to successful international models. It sheds light on the causes of the downfall of English and Welsh drug courts and proposes a renewed fidelity matrix for new practice in this area. The book is valuable for academics and practitioners in therapeutic justice, criminal law, criminology, criminal justice, and socio-legal studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into a comprehensive process evaluation conducted at the Manchester Review Court, a problem-solving court situated in England. Unlike the widely celebrated successes of similar international models, there is a notable lack of detailed information about the Manchester Review Court in the accessible literature, including policy documents, court handbooks, and official websites. By adopting the seminal 'wine and 'bottle analytical framework proposed by therapeutic jurisprudence scholars, and conducting a thorough comparative analysis contrasting the court with successful international problem-solving courts, the original empirical data provides clarity to an overlooked area. Additionally, a fidelity analysis is offered for the forerunning English and Welsh drug courts, which were established during the early 2000s but subsequently fell by the wayside without a satisfactory explanation for their demise.

The findings from this book shed new light on the factors contributing to the downfall of the English and Welsh drug courts, particularly in the context of recent calls for the roll-out of new problem-solving courts. Drawing upon the international evidence base and addressing national challenges in this field, the book proposes a renewed, UK-specific, fidelity matrix to foster the impetus for innovative practice in this area, while accounting for past failures and acknowledging current issues.

In essence, this book not only pioneers new knowledge in a significantly under-researched domain but also offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking strategies to address recidivism, addiction, victimization, and austerity, as widespread social and human issues currently confronting both Manchester and the UK on a broader scale.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367653866