title: Convicted driving-while-impaired offenders' views on effectiveness of sanctions and treatment.
abstract: In this article we analyze qualitative data from a multiple-method, longitudinal study drawn from 15-year follow-up interviews with a subsample of 82 individuals arrested for driving while intoxicated in a southwestern state (1989-1995). We explore reactions to the arrest and court-mandated sanctions, including legal punishments, mandated interventions, and/or participation in programs aimed at reducing recidivism. Key findings include experiencing certain negative emotional reactions to the arrest, reactions to being jailed, experiencing other court-related sanctions as deterring driving-while-intoxicated behavior, and generally negative opinions regarding court-mandated interventions. We discuss interviewees' complex perspectives on treatment and program participation and their effects on lessening recidivism, and we offer suggestions for reducing recidivism based on our findings.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102, USA. slapham@pire.org
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lapham
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: England-Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011330:Prisons; D011678:Punishment / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors