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Pennsylvania Supreme Court Accredits Sixth Drug Court to Recognize Quality and Accountability

News Article

February 04, 2013

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has accredited Lackawanna County’s adult drug court. The designation is part of an effort to promote statewide standards and boost integrity in drug and alcohol treatment programs that serve as alternatives to jail for eligible defendants.

The Lackawanna court became the sixth in the state to earn accreditation. Courts in the following counties previously were accredited: Lancaster, Wyoming/Sullivan, York, Snyder/Union and Luzerne.

The Supreme Court approved an accreditation program for adult drug and DUI courts in July 2011 after more than a year of development by a committee that included a judge; public defender; district attorney; drug and alcohol counselor; probation and parole officers; and representatives of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission and AOPC. Nearly three dozen adult drug courts have been launched across the Commonwealth under the Supreme Court’s direction, thanks to a pattern of proven results that curb costs and reduce recidivism.

The voluntary accreditation process gives counties a gauge of how a court’s operations compare to proven nationally-recognized practices. Approval also brings enhanced recognition through accreditation and boosts prospects for available grants and other funding to continue the work.

Pennsylvania is believed to be one of only a handful of states employing the accreditation process, which varies by state. Accreditation applications are sent to the AOPC, whose problem-solving courts program administrator recommends approval after an internal committee review. The application process can take up to two months to complete.