Evaluation of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy’s Alternative Sentencing Worker Program

Community-based treatment as an alternative to incarceration has substantial benefits to the criminal justice system and society. The Kentucky Alternative Sentencing Worker (ASW) program connects individuals with substance use disorder and/or mental health needs to incarceration alternatives. A secondary analysis of 9 years (2016–2024) of de-identified data ( N = 15,168) was conducted to assess client outcomes. Less than half (48%) of clients reported having been arrested and 57% reported having reductions in drug use during the 12-month follow-up. Being employed at the initial assessment was associated with lower odds of being arrested, while prior stimulant use was associated with higher odds of being arrested. Taken together, the results suggest the Kentucky ASW program had positive outcomes for program clients.