"Therapeutic Justice: Life Inside Drug Court"

"Therapeutic Justice: Life Inside Drug Court" is a documentary about an innovative and successful drug court in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  The film shows the inner workings of this rehabilitation program through the eyes of a judge and a professional football player who struggles with drug addiction.  Of 2,400 drug courts in the country, the Washington-Madison County Drug Court in Fayetteville is the only one with its own TV show and the only court to hold actual sessions inside local schools.

The documentary analyzes tough issues surrounding the program, including ethical concerns over the broadcasting of drug court.  Washington-Madison County drug court appears on TV in 200,000 households in Northwest Arkansas.  Some participants in the program are wary of airing their intimate details in front of the camera, but many recognize the educational value of such a TV show.

There are ongoing efforts to keep the drug court program alive.  Despite one of the highest success rates in the country, Fayetteville’s drug court is in danger of being terminated if it doesn't receive much-needed funding from the state.  "Therapeutic Justice" explores the benefits of keeping such a program going.