An Evaluation of the DRC in the Context of Douglas County, Nebraska: A Developmental Perspective

As an alternative to incarceration, the day reporting center (DRC) has become an increasingly popular sentencing option in many jurisdictions. The DRC as a mechanism of social control has played an important role in the context of Douglas County, Nebraska. In this regard, the goal of this study is to (a) understand the roles of the DRC in this jurisdiction and (b) identify the types of effective treatment for clients' reintegration and demographic and case variables that are related to clients' termination and recidivism. A number of significant variables were found, such as education, relapse prevention, employment, and age. The findings from this research will contribute to the development of effective treatment for the DRC's clients. Finally, this study suggests the following two-level strategy for the DRC: a short-term strategy designed to prevent clients' termination and a long-term strategy designed to prevent clients' recidivism.