Rehabilitative Sanctions for Drunk Driving - An Experimental Evaluation

• NCJ Number: 89412
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1983) Pages: 55-72
• Author(s): R T Holden
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 5T32 MH15123
• Contract Number(s): DOT-HS-5-01199
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Admin; National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Under the Tenessee DWI Probation Follow-up Demonstration Project, 4,126 persons arrested for drunk driving (DWI) in Memphis were classified as either social or problem drinkers and were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: control, probation supervision, education/therapy, or supervision plus education/therapy.

Abstract

Each client was followed up for at least two years after referral to the project. It was concluded that the treatment programs were not effective in reducing rearrests for DWI or for other misdemeanors and felonies. Arguments can be made that the treatment programs were inappropriate for many of the project's clients. However, strong arguments can also be made that any such experiments, regardless of the treatments tested, are unlikely to produce significant treatment effects because of other aspects of the sanctioning process. (Author abstract)