Year of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Sociology (Inequality and Social Justice option)

Department or School/College

Sociology

Commitee Members

Dr. Mark Heirigs, Dr. James Tuttle, Dr. Madison Gerdes, Dr. Veronica Johnson

Keywords

Problem-Solving Courts, Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Sociological Jurisprudence, Mass Incarceration, Legal Reform.

Subject Categories

Criminal Law | Criminology and Criminal Justice | Law and Society | Legal History | Legal Studies | Legal Theory | Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance | Social Justice | Sociology

Abstract

In response to the failures of mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, Problem-Solving Courts (PSCs) have emerged as alternatives to traditional prosecution. These courts employ therapeutic-informed and rehabilitative practices aimed at addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. While widely regarded as more effective than traditional courts, PSCs have developed largely without a formal theoretical foundation. This is notable given their alignment with Sociological Jurisprudence (SJ) and Therapeutic Jurisprudence (TJ), which view the legal system as a vehicle for promoting individual and community well-being.

Despite being celebrated as therapeutic innovations, PSCs often embody these principles unevenly. Using data from the 2012 Census of Problem-Solving Courts, this study conducts descriptive statistical analysis, bivariate correlations, and crosstabulation to evaluate whether the six core definitional components of PSCs, dedicated docket, judicial authority, team collaboration and expertise, individualized needs-based responses and therapeutic and rehabilitative services, are associated with more favorable rehabilitative outcomes. Findings suggest that therapeutic principles, when adopted in name only, do not guarantee improved results. Instead, comprehensive implementation of these six foundational components appears critical to maximizing the rehabilitative potential of PSCs.

By identifying which structural elements are most strongly associated with successful outcomes, this research offers practical recommendations for legal system reform to ultimately contribute to a more equitable and effective response to criminal behavior.

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© Copyright 2025 Lauren M. Boos