Prospective Study of the Utility of Standardized Instruments in Predicting Recidivism Among First DWI Offenders

• NCJ Number: 174163
• Journal: Journal of Studies on Alcohol Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September 1997 Pages: 524-530
• Author(s): S C Lapham; B J Skipper; G L Simpson
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 7 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5 RO1 AA09620-02
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study evaluates the utility of four instruments in assessing risk for rearrest among first driving while impaired (DWI) offenders.

Abstract

The study evaluated the MacAndrews scale of the MMPI-2 (MAC), four scales of the Alcohol Use Inventory (AUI), the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and the Skinnerþs Trauma Scale (STS). Subjects were clients (N=1,384, 80 percent male) convicted of a DWI offense who were referred to the Lovelace Screening Program for evaluation and who completed a court-mandated screening program. After 4 years of follow-up the overall rearrest rate was 21.0 percent. The best predictors of recidivism were a MAC score of 23 or above, elevated scores on AUI scales, young male status (age 30 or younger) and arrest blood alcohol concentration of .200 percent or above. The MAC was the best single variable for classifying offenders' recidivism risk, indicating that screening programs for DWI offenders should evaluate personality factors in making referral and sentencing recommendations. Tables, figures, references