Measuring success in the ACT’s Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List

Despite the relationship between substance abuse and offending (and reoffending), traditional correctional approaches frequently fail to address drug and alcohol issues. Nor do they effectively address problems like poverty, mental illness or social isolation which often coincide with and amplify substance abuse, as well as inhibit rehabilitation.

Facing high rates of reoffending and reincarceration, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was prompted to try something different. In 2019, it established the Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List – a trial prison diversion program designed to take a holistic, case-management approach to offenders with substance abuse issues.

In 2023, with the trial about to expire, the ACT Government had to decide whether the program was worth continuing. Yet answering that question wasn’t entirely straightforward. A small participant cohort in a small jurisdiction presented both implementation and evaluation challenges. So did the advent of COVID-19. Standard measures such as program completion and recidivism rates tell one kind of story but is that enough to base a decision on? Could other measures tell a more complete, informative story?

Written by Dr. Sophie Yates, Prof. Lorana Bartels and Prof. Meredith Rossner of ANU, ‘Measuring Success’ looks at the different ways the Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List impacted participants and invites consideration of how we assess justice interventions. Drawing on the reflections of those involved, the case is an extension of the authors’ work in evaluating the Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List for the ACT Government.