Modeling the Longitudinal Impact of Legal Sanctions on Narcotics Use and Property Crime

• NCJ Number: 119293
• Journal: Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 33-56
• Author(s): G Speckart; M D Anglin; E P Deschenes
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Structural equation models are used to confirm the suppressive effects of legal sanctions, e.g., probation and parole, on narcotics use and property crime.

Abstract

Both concurrent and longitudinal effects of legal sanctions are tested within two different models, which together span the entire addiction career. Findings indicate that the suppressive effects of legal sanctions are evident only when legal sanctions are operationalized as parole or probation officer contact where urine monitoring is utilized; and only concurrent suppressive effects are statistically significant; longitudinal suppressive effects are not. Also, both narcotics use and property crime are suppressed by legal sanctions, although the latter is less responsive than the former to intervention by the criminal justice system. Finally, suppressive effects tend to be more pronounced later in the addiction career. 2 figures, 3 tables, 57 references. (Author abstract modified)