Reintegrative Shaming and Recidivism Risks in Drug Court: Explanations for Some Unexpected Findings

Abstract

Braithwaite's (1989) theory of reintegrative shaming has been increasingly used to explain how social control efforts may result in both conformity and deviance. Using this theory as an interpretive framework, this study examines the relative effectiveness of a specialized drug court in reducing recidivism risks. Contrary to expectations based on its structural similarity to the principles of reintegrative shaming, the authors find that risks of recidivism for drug court participants are significantly higher than comparable offenders processed outside drug court. Field observations and a more detailed examination of daily practices explain these unexpected findings by revealing that the drug court is actually more stigmatizing than conventional courts and is not reintegrative enough in its orientation toward punishment. The results of this study are then discussed in terms of their implications for further research.