title: Methamphetamine use, self-reported violent crime, and recidivism among offenders in California who abuse substances.
abstract: This study uses data from 641 state prison parolees in California to examine the associations between methamphetamine use and three measures of criminal behavior: (a) self-reported violent criminal behavior, (b) return to prison for a violent offense, and (c) return to prison for any reason during the first 12 months of parole. Methamphetamine use was significantly predictive of self-reported violent criminal behavior and general recidivism (i.e., a return to custody for any reason). However, methamphetamine use was not significantly predictive of being returned to custody for a violent offense. These trends remained even after controlling for involvement in the drug trade (i.e., sales, distribution, or manufacturing).
authors.affiliation: UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, 90025, USA. jcartier@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cartier
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farabee
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Prendergast
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012008:Recurrence; D012647:Self-Assessment; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine