NCJ Number
127275
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (August 1986) Pages: 12-13
Date Published
1986
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Drug testing by corrections, probation, and parole systems is common, but often random.
Abstract
Forty-five corrections systems use urine tests to determine drug use by inmates; 35 perform random tests. Forty-one systems test for drugs upon reasonable suspicion, 11 at intake classification, and 7 for reasonable suspicion only. Twenty-eight do confirmation tests of positive results, about equal proportions using same-and alternate-methodology tests. Of 36 systems which offered a comment, 27 claim that drug testing has reduced use of drugs, 20 claim that it has reduced the amount of confiscated drugs, and 10 claim that it has reduced inmate violence. Half of the 44 drug-testing systems have faced at least one lawsuit; 8 have reported judgments in their favor. Thirty-three of 37 responding probation systems and 44 of 48 parole systems perform drug tests, mainly on persons with a drug abuse history. Random testing is more common with probation than with parole. Staff testing is not widespread; only one-third of the systems perform tests on their employees. A survey summary is included.