Research Reports

UCJC conducted a study regarding the efficacy of Utah's mental health courts (MHCs). In Phase 1 (2014-2015), we studied 43 MHCs across the United States, Australia, and Canada. In Phase 2 (2017-2018), we assessed the efficacy of Utah's MHCs using a matched sample of individuals with similar treatment and criminal histories. This report provides details on the programs, participants, eligibility criteria, and methods/outcomes used . . .

In June 2012, Utah’s Department of Workforce Services (DWS), in partnership with Montana’s Department of Labor, was awarded a Workforce Innovation Fund Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to carry out the consortium’s “Next Generation Labor Exchange (GenLEX)” initiative. The University of Utah’s Social Research Institute (SRI) was awarded the contract to serve as the third-party evaluator. This included providing a research design and statistical analysis for the evaluation of three sets of LEX test components introduced through the GenLEX project.

Conducting structured risk assessments with offenders is valuable but expensive. Brief risk assessments are less time- and resource-intensive but can allow criminal justice entities to determine which individuals are low-risk vs which should receive a comprehensive risk assessment. In UCJC's 2014-2015 study, we evaluated brief instruments that predict general and violent recidivism, failure to appear, and technical violations. . .

UCJC conducted an evaluation (2015) of the Response and Incentive Matrix (RIM) developed to respond to compliance with and/or violations of Utah probationers' and parolees' supervision conditions. The tool was created by a committee that included representatives from the Utah Sentencing Commission, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) . . .

UCJC conducted an evaluation (2014-2015) to determine whether a program conducted by The Road Home (TRH) increased housing stability, access to mental health treatment, and quality of life. TRH's program, the Housing Support and Stability Project (HSSP), was developed to address existing gaps in services by providing substance abuse and mental health treatment . . .