NCJ Number
50638
Date Published
1977
Length
167 pages
Annotation
LITERATURE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME AND DRINKING IS EXAMINED WITH REGARD TO DRINKING PROBLEMS OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS AND CRIME PROBLEMS OF LABELED ALCOHOLICS.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO SIMPLE FORMULA TO BE USED IN ESTIMATING THE PROPORTION OF CRIMES TO WHICH DRINKING HAS CONTRIBUTED, THERE IS VALUE IN REVIEWING EMPIRICAL DATA ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND CRIME. ATTRIBUTING CRIMINAL EVENTS TO ALCOHOL MEANS MOVING BEYOND ASSOCIATIONAL RESEARCH TO CRITERIA THAT DISTINGUISH ALCOHOL-PRESENT EVENTS FROM EVENTS IN WHICH ALCOHOL PLAYS A CONTRIBUTORY OR CAUSAL ROLE. STUDIES DESCRIBING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRINKING AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR ARE REVIEWED. METHODOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE MEASUREMENT OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND ON REPORTED DRINKING INVOLVEMENT ARE DISCUSSED. LITERATURE IN FOUR OTHER AREAS IS EXPORED: (1) ALCOHOL IN CRIMINAL EVENTS BASED ON POLICE CASE DATA (ROBBERY, RAPE, ASSAULT, AND HOMICIDE), (2) ALCOHOL IN CRIMINAL EVENTS BASED ON PRISON DATA, (3) DRINKING PROBEMS OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS, AND (4) CRIMINAL CAREERS OF LABELED ALCOHOLICS, (CRIMINAL RECORDS OF CHRONIC INEBRIATE OFFENDERS AND SAMPLES DRAWN FROM ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT CENTERS OR HOSPITALS). EXPLANATIONS OF ALCOHOL'S ROLE IN CRIMINAL EVENTS ARE OFFERED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (DEP)