Problems in assigning drinking and driving (DWI) offenders to treatment in the USA include: (1) availability of driver record data; (2) accuracy of driver record data; (3) pre-sentence investigations; (4) structured interviews and questionnaires; (5) the adjudication process; (6) finances; (7) probation department resources. This paper outlines a study, aiming to compare the background characteristics of multiple-DWI offenders, assigned by a court to a DWI facility, with similar multiple offenders, whose sentences involved imprisonment, fines or community service. If the referral system operates `rationally', individuals assigned to the facility should show a heavier pattern of drinking and more serious driving problems. During 1987 and 1988, an in-depth Health Attitudes and Practices (HAP) interview was conducted with 1600 DWI offenders, 45 of whom were multiple DWI offenders. The data allowed exploration of problem drinking, criminal records, socio-economic status and demographic characteristics. Offenders, who were assigned to the facility and perhaps also to gaol, were more likely to have at least two previous offences; thus the judges seemed to be using driving records to guide their assignment to the in-house treatment facility.
Samenvatting