NCJ Number
154879
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 59-78
Date Published
1995
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study explores the alcohol and drug-use patterns of incarcerated DUI (driving under the influence) offenders and their involvement with the criminal justice system, both as DUI offenders and as individuals involved in other types of criminal behavior.
Abstract
Alcohol and drug-use patterns were examined for incarcerated DUI offenders, comparing those with only charges of DUI in their criminal biographies (PUREDUI) and those who have DUI and other types of crime in their criminal histories (DUIPLUS). The study considers whether PUREDUI and DUIPLUS offenders have different patterns of illicit drug use and whether these differences warrant attention by the criminal justice system. It also explores whether substance use and criminal behaviors are related to their support networks, such as familial cohesiveness, educational level, and employment status. The study examined as well the demographic characteristics of incarcerated DUI offenders, both to facilitate significant comparisons with other types of offenders in future research and to gain a better understanding of the DUI offender. The sample was drawn through a stratified two-stage method to accurately represent the inmates incarcerated in local jails found in the 1988 National Jail Census. Of the 5,675 inmates initially interviewed, 888 offenders are included in this study. This analysis supports the hypothesis that DUI offenders are a diverse group, although they are often treated by the system as an homogeneous group. Some DUI offenders only get involved with the criminal justice system for this offense; others, who have a problematic alcohol consumption pattern, recidivate after the first DUI. A third group consists of offenders who not only have problematic alcohol consumption patterns, but are living criminal lifestyles in which DUI is only one type of offense. Until the system recognizes that the population of DUI offenders overlaps into the populations of alcoholics, drug addicts, and career criminals, DUI offenders will continue to be treated as if they are all the same type of offender. Sentencing should be offender-specific, so that it may take into account the history of each offender and provide measures most likely to be effective in preventing recidivism. 2 tables and 31 references