Revised   5/15/98


Substance Abuse and Treatment of Adults on Probation, 1995


NCJ-166611  March 1998

U. S. Department of Justice
Bureau of Justice Statistics

All numbered tables are found at the end of the report


By Christopher J. Mumola
BJS Policy Analyst

with assistance from
Thomas P. Bonczar
BJS Statistician


---------------------------------------------------
Highlights

Half of probationers were under the influence of alcohol or drugs
at the time of the offense for which they were convicted

*  Over two-thirds of probationers reported using drugs in the
past; nearly a third reported use in the month before the
current offense.

*  A third of probationers reported a prior binge drinking
experience; a quarter exhibited indicators of past alcohol
dependence or abuse; a fifth were on probation for a DWI offense.

*  Overall, about two-thirds of probationers may be
characterized as alcohol- or drug-involved offenders.

*  Among those probationers who said they used drugs in the
month before their offense, 42% had received drug treatment on
their current sentence.  Nearly a third had received outpatient
care; a quarter participated in a self-help group.

*  Nearly two-thirds of probationers who said they were under
the influence of alcohol during the offense had been treated for
alcohol abuse while on probation; half had participated in
Alcoholics Anonymous.

*  Half of probationers surveyed said they had been tested for
drug use
---------------------------------------------------

In the first national survey of adults on probation, conducted
in 1995, nearly 70% of probationers reported past drug use; 32%
said they were using illegal drugs in the month before their
offense; and 14% were on drugs when they committed their
offense.  More than 20% were on probation for driving under the
influence of drugs or alcohol, and 25% of other probationers
said they had been drinking at the time of their offense.

When the survey was conducted, 17% of probationers reported
having participated in a drug treatment program while serving
their current sentence; 32% said they had received treatment for
alcohol abuse.  Overall, 38% had received some treatment for
substance abuse since beginning their probation. 

These findings are based on personal interviews with a
nationally representative sample of over 2,000 adult
probationers under active supervision.  These interviews
followed an earlier study of administrative records of a larger
sample of probationers.  While the interviews addressed a broad
range of issues, this report focuses on items dealing with
probationers' histories of drug and alcohol use and treatment.

---------------------------------------------------
Probationers over half of the Nation's correctional population
---------------------------------------------------

Probationers are criminal offenders who are sentenced to
supervised release into the community.  (Parolees are also
supervised in the community, but only after serving an
incarceration sentence.)  Probation represents a more moderate
sanction than incarceration.  It is generally given to those
offenders with few or no prior convictions or to those guilty of
less serious offenses.  Restrictions placed on probationers'
lives in the community can range from a monthly phone call for
verifying their residence and employment status to the use of
electronic bracelets to enforce house arrest.  

On December 31, 1996 (the most recent data available), there
were nearly 3.2 million adult U.S. residents sentenced to
probation.  This represented 58% of the national population of
adults under correctional supervision, which includes State and
Federal prisoners, local jail inmates, and parolees.  About 78%
of probationers were classified as actively supervised, being 
required to make contact with their probation officer at regular
intervals. 

Since 1990, the probation population has increased by over
500,000 persons, which represents a 19% increase.  The remainder
of the Nation's correctional populations recorded a 40% increase
over the same period.  As a result, the probation population
represents a declining share of the Nation's correctional
population, despite its own substantial growth.  (See
Correctional Populations in the United States, 1995, BJS report,
May 1997, NCJ-163916.)


Year     Number           Probationers as 
         of adult         percent of adults 
         probationers*    under correctional
                          supervision
--------------------------------------------

1990     2,670,234        61.4%
1991     2,728,472        60.2
1992     2,811,611        59
1993     2,903,061        58.7
1994     2,981,022        58
1995     3,077,861        57.7
1996     3,180,363        57.6
--------------------------------------------
*Includes local, State, and Federal agencies.


---------------------------------------------------
The Survey of Adults on Probation, 1995, the first of its kind
---------------------------------------------------

The 1995 Survey of Adults on Probation, conducted by the Bureau
of Justice Statistics (BJS), was the first national survey to
gather information on the individual characteristics of
probationers.  The initial component of this survey, a review of
the administrative records of 5,867 adult probationers, provided
detailed information on current offenses and sentences, criminal
histories, levels of supervision and contacts, and disciplinary
hearings and outcomes.  (See Characteristics of Adults on
Probation, 1995, BJS Special Report, December 1997, 
NCJ-164267.)   

From the records-check sample, 4,703 probationers were selected
for personal interviews, which made up the second survey
component.  Because probationers on inactive supervision were
excluded from the personal interview sample, the personal
interview component represents a somewhat smaller share of the
Nation's probationers (2,065,896) than the records check
(2,620,560).  (See Methodology, page 13, for additional
details.) 

Conducted in probation offices, these interviews covered a broad
range of issues, including current offenses and sentences,
socioeconomic characteristics, criminal histories, and mental
health treatment.  This report draws exclusively on the items
concerning experiences with alcohol and drug abuse and treatment
programs.  (See figure 1 for some of the interview items used in
this report.)

---------------------------------------------------
Key survey items on drug and alcohol abuse

Drugs (items were asked for each of 12 drug types)
______________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever used (drug type)?                                      1  Yes
                                                                     2  No 

Have you ever used (drug type) regularly --  that is,              
once a week or more for at least a month?                            1  Yes
                                                                     2  No

Did you use (drug type) during the month before your arrest?         1  Yes
                                                                     2  No

Were you under the influence of (drug type) at the time 
of the (current offense)?                                            1  Yes
                                                                     2  No

Alcohol
___________________________________________________________________________

During the year before the (current offense) did you drink 
any alcohol?                                                         1  Yes
                                                                     2  No

Were you under the influence of alcohol at the time of the 
(current offense)?                                                   1  Yes
                                                                     2  No

In your entire life, have you ever had as much as a fifth of liquor  1  Yes
in one day, that would be about 20 drinks, or 3 bottles of wine,     2  No
or as much as 3 six-packs of beer in one day?


Note:  See box on page 4 for a description of the CAGE diagnostic indicator 
of alcohol dependence, another key measure of alcohol abuse used in this
report.
---------------------------------------------------
Figure 1.

Results from the personal interview component of the Survey of
Adults on Probation represent the first national data collected
on drug abuse and treatment in the probation population.  The
items regarding prior experiences with alcohol and drug abuse
and treatment programs drew on earlier work conducted by the
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  Items on
treatment programs were organized by 19 different types of
programs, whether the treatment was for alcohol, drugs, or both
and whether it was received before, during, or both before and
during the current sentence.

---------------------------------------------------
Almost half of probationers were under the influence of alcohol
or drugs at the time of their offense
---------------------------------------------------

An estimated 47% of all adult probationers said they were under
the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of their offense
(table 1).  Probationers sentenced for driving while intoxicated
(DWI) made up a fifth of all probationers, and 98% confirmed
they committed the offense while under the influence of alcohol
or drugs.  In contrast, the reported percentage among all
non-DWI offenders was 33%.


With the exclusion of DWI probationers, violent offenders (44%)
were the most likely to have used alcohol or drugs at the time
of offense.  The percentage for drug offenders was slightly
lower (38%), while the reported alcohol and drug use of property
offenders (23%) was about half that of violent offenders.   

After DWI offenders, probationers sentenced for burglary (49%)
and assault (48%) reported the highest incidence of alcohol or
drug use at the time of the offense.  Probationers sentenced for
fraud (13%) and larceny/theft (21%) were the least likely to
report such drug and alcohol use.

Local jail inmates (36%) and State prisoners (31%) were about 
twice as likely as probationers (14%) to report drug use at 
the time of offense.  However, the percentage of probationers 
reporting alcohol use at the time of offense (40%) was comparable 
to those of both jail (41%) and State prison (32%) inmates.  

               Percent who said they used
               drugs at the time of offense
               ------------------------------------
                Adult
                proba-   Jail     State
                tioners  inmates  prisoners
---------------------------------------------------
Total             14%       36%       31%
Violent           11        28        28
Property          10        37        35
Drug              32        59        36
Public-order       6        19        18


Note:  Data drawn from the 1996 Survey 
of Inmates in Local Jails (unpublished) 
and the 1991 Survey of Inmates in State 
Correctional Facilities.

---------------------------------------------------
Over two-thirds of probationers said they used drugs in the past
---------------------------------------------------

While 14% of probationers said they had used drugs at the time
of offense, 69% had used drugs at some time in the past (table
2).  Marijuana was the most commonly used drug, with two-thirds
of probationers reporting use in the past.  Marijuana was also
the drug most commonly used by probationers in the month before
the offense (25%), as well as at the time of the offense itself
(10%).  

Cocaine-based drugs, including crack, and stimulants, such as
methamphetamine, were the next most commonly used drugs, with
roughly a third and a quarter of adults on probation,
respectively, reporting past use.  At the time of offense, 4% of
probationers said they had used cocaine-based drugs, while 2%
used stimulants.  For all other types of drugs, less than 20%
reported past use, and less than 1% reported use at the time of
offense.   

For all types of drugs, and for all time periods prior to the
offense, probationers reported lower levels of drug use than
local jail and State prison inmates.  For instance, 79% of State
prisoners and 82% of local jail inmates had used drugs in the
past, with roughly half of each group (50% and 55%) having used
drugs in the month before the offense. 

The greatest differences were seen in the use of cocaine-based
drugs.  While 1 in 10 probationers said they had used cocaine or
crack in the month prior to the offense, the same was true for 1
in 4 local jail and State prison inmates.  About 1 in 25
probationers said they were under the influence of cocaine or
crack at the time of offense, compared to 1 in 7 local jail and
State prison inmates.   

               Percent using cocaine/crack
               ---------------------------
                         In the 
                         month     At the
                         before    time of
                  Ever   offense   offense
------------------------------------------
               
Probationers       31%        9%       4%
Jail inmates       50        24%      15
State prisoners    49        25%      14
------------------------------------------
Note:  Data drawn from the 1996 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails
(unpublished) and the 1991 Survey of Inmates in State
Correctional Facilities.

---------------------------------------------------
Responses from a quarter of adults on probation indicated past
alcohol abuse or dependence
---------------------------------------------------

According to the CAGE diagnostic instrument (see box), 24% of
probationers reported experiences which are consistent with a
history of alcohol abuse or dependence (table 3).  The incidence
of alcohol abuse varied somewhat by offense type, with DWI (41%)
and other public-order (26%) offenders most likely to provide
three or more positive CAGE responses.  Assault (24%) and
burglary (22%) offenders also reported higher levels of alcohol
abuse.  Percentages were lower for offenses such as drug
trafficking (12%) and larceny/theft (15%).

Excluding public-order offenders, violent offenders (22%) were
the most likely to exhibit signs of alcohol abuse, followed by
property (18%) and drug (16%) offenders.  For all three offense
types, about half reported at least one positive CAGE response.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past experiences of alcohol abuse, by number of
positive CAGE responses of probationers.

                           Percent of probationers reporting past
                           experience, by the number of positive CAGE responses
                                0        1        2        3        4

Under the influence 
of alcohol at the time
of offense                   14.3%    38.7%    57.4%    72.5%    79.9%

Ever had a binge
drinking experience*         12.4     36.6     43.4     61.5     84.1

Ever gotten into a physical
fight because of drinking    11.8     27.8     47.8     53.5     73.8

Number of probationers      914484   319249   337230   281229   213703

*Binge drinking is defined as having consumed as much as a fifth of liquor
in a single day, equivalent to 20 drinks, 3 bottles of wine, or as many as 
3 six-packs of beer.

The CAGE questionnaire is a diagnostic instrument for detecting a person's
history of alcohol abuse or dependence.  CAGE is an acronym for the four
questions used by the instrument -- attempts to (C)ut back on drinking,
(A)nnoyance at others' criticism of one's drinking, feelings of (G)uilt about
drinking, and needing a drink first thing in the morning as an (E)ye opener
to steady the nerves.  The CAGE instrument determines a person's likelihood of 
alcohol abuse by the number of positive responses to these four questions.

In a clinical test involving hospital admissions, three or more positive 
CAGE responses carried a .99 predictive value for alcohol abuse or dependence.

In addition, there is a strong relationship of positive CAGE responses 
to other self-reported indicators of prior alcohol abuse from the SAP survey
(table above).  While 12% of probationers with no positive CAGE responses
reported a past "binge drinking" episode, the same was true of 84% of those
with four CAGE responses.  In this report, only those probationers with three 
or more positive responses are categorized as alcohol abusive or dependent.

________________________________________________________________
Data on the predictive values of the CAGE instrument
are taken from the article "Screening for Alcohol Abuse Using
the CAGE Questionnaire" by B. Bush, et al., The American Journal
of Medicine, Vol. 82, February 1987, pp. 231-35
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Nearly two-thirds of probationers said they had driven while
under the influence of drugs or alcohol
---------------------------------------------------

Probationers reported high levels of dangerous and troubled
behavior associated with past drug and alcohol use.  Nearly
two-thirds (64%) of all probationers admitted to having driven
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including 57%
that had done so while drunk (table 4).  Half of all
probationers had also experienced drug- or alcohol-related
domestic disputes (51%) or had been arrested as a result of
using alcohol or drugs (50%).  In addition, a third had gotten
into physical fights related to drinking or drug use (35%), or
had engaged in "binge drinking," the equivalent of consuming a
fifth of liquor in a single day (35%). 

When looking at experiences associated with drug abuse, more
recent drug use was related to higher reported levels of such
behavior (table 5).  While 53% of probationers having any past
drug use said they had driven while under the influence of
drugs, the percentage rose to 74% among probationers using drugs
in the month prior to the offense.  For every listed behavior,
the percentages reported by probationers increased as the level
of prior drug use went from "ever in the past" to "in the month
before the offense."  Fewer than two-thirds of probationers with
any prior drug use reported any of these experiences, but over
85% of those using drugs in the month of the offense had engaged
in at least one of these troubled behaviors.   

---------------------------------------------------
Hispanic probationers reported the lowest levels of prior drug
use
---------------------------------------------------

There were few differences between men and women in the
percentages of reported drug use (table 6).  Nearly equal
percentages of men (70%) and women (68%) had used drugs in the
past as well as at the time of offense (14% and 12%,
respectively).  However, men reported consistently higher
percentages for measures of prior alcohol abuse.  Men were more
likely than women to report alcohol influence at the time of
offense (44% compared to 26%) and a prior binge drinking
experience (40% compared to 16%). 
  
Prior drug use patterns varied little across racial or ethnic
groups.  While Hispanics reported lower drug use on all
measures, non-Hispanic whites and blacks reported higher levels
of use.  Roughly 7 in 10 whites and blacks said they had used
drugs in the past, and 1 in 7 of both groups said they had used
drugs at the time of their offense.  On the three measures of
prior alcohol abuse, white adults on probation had higher
percentages than black and Hispanic adults.  Nearly half of
whites reported alcohol influence at the time of offense,
compared to a third of Hispanics and a quarter of blacks. 

---------------------------------------------------
Prior drug use dropped dramatically among probationers age 45 or
older
---------------------------------------------------

Adults on probation in the age categories under 45 (87% of all
probationers) reported similar levels of prior drug abuse, and
their incidence of drug use was consistently higher than that of
older probationers.  Over 70% of probationers under 45 reported
some prior drug use, compared to 37% of those 45 or older. 
Thirty-five percent of probationers under 45-but 9% of older
probationers-reported drug use in the month before their
offense.  

Measures of prior alcohol abuse displayed little variation
across age groups.  For example, between 30% and 38% of all age
groups reported a binge drinking experience.  About equal
percentages of probationers under 45 (24%) and older
probationers (27%) fit the CAGE profile of alcohol dependence or
reported alcohol influence at the time of offense (39% and 46%,
respectively).

---------------------------------------------------
Over 80% of probationers with a GED reported past drug use
---------------------------------------------------

Probationers with a GED (a General Equivalency Diploma, or the
equivalent to a high school degree) consistently reported the
highest levels of prior drug use when compared to those with
other educational attainments.  Over 80% of the probationers
with a GED said they had used drugs, and 58% reported regular
drug use in the past.  However, probationers with a GED reported
levels of prior alcohol abuse similar to those of other
probationers.

For other categories of educational background, reported drug
use varied between 26% and 34% for the month before the offense
and between 12% and 15% for the time of the offense. 
Probationers with an elementary education reported the lowest
levels of any past drug use (50%).  Across the educational
categories, from 35% to 44% of probationers committed their
offense under the influence of alcohol.

---------------------------------------------------
Two-thirds of probationers can be characterized as alcohol or
drug involved offenders 
---------------------------------------------------

About two-thirds of probationers reported at least one type of
involvement with alcohol or drug abuse in the time leading up to
their current offense.  The largest group of alcohol or
drug-involved probationers were those who were under the
influence at the time of their current offense (47%).  Also
included in this category were those probationers reporting drug
use in the month before the offense (32%), those fitting the
CAGE profile for alcohol dependence (24%), and those under a
probation sentence for DWI (21%) and drug (20%) offenses.


                        Percent of
                        probationers
                        ------------
Current drug offense        20.1%
Current DWI offense         20.7
Alcohol/drug influence
 at the time of offense     46.8
Drug use in the month
 prior to offense           31.8
Three or more positive      
 CAGE responses             24
     
Alcohol or drug 
involved probationers       67.3%


Among the probationers interviewed, men (71%) were more likely
than women (54%) to report involvement in alcohol or drug abuse
before their current offense (table 7).  Among racial
groups, white non-Hispanics (71%) reported the highest incidence
of alcohol or drug involvement, followed by black non-Hispanics
(64%) and Hispanics (59%).  The reported levels of involvement
with alcohol or drug abuse varied little among age groups, with
probationers between ages 25 and 44 having slightly higher
levels than those in other age groups.

---------------------------------------------------
While on probation, half of probationers tested--but less than 
a fifth treated--for drug use  
---------------------------------------------------

Nearly half of all probationers (49%) reported having been
tested for drug use while on their current probation sentence
(table 8).  The percentage of probationers tested for illegal
drugs consistently rose among those with more severe drug use
histories.  Two-thirds of probationers using drugs in the month
of the offense had been tested for drug use.  Three-quarters of
those who committed their offense to obtain drug money had been
tested.  

Seventeen percent of all probationers reported participation in
a drug treatment program during their probation sentence.  The
percentage rose as the severity of prior drug use increased.  Of
those with any past drug use, 25% had received treatment, and
the percentage grew to 42% of those using drugs in the month
before the offense.  A majority of those using drugs at the time
of offense reported participation in drug treatment during their
current sentence. 

However, a substantial percentage of probationers with severe
drug use histories had not been tested or received treatment. 
About half of probationers who committed their offense to obtain
money for drugs had received drug treatment while on probation. 
Two-fifths of intravenous drug users had not received any drug
treatment during their probation sentence.  In every group of
probationers with prior drug use, between 26% and 45% did not
report being tested for drug use.

Comparing first-year probationers with those who had already
served a year or more of their sentence suggests that the amount
of time on probation affects the chances of having been tested
for drugs.  Among first-year probationers, 41% had been tested
for drugs during their probation sentence, compared to 56% of
those who had served at least a year on probation.  For all
levels of prior drug use, the percentage of probationers tested
for drugs was higher for those having spent a year or more on
probation.  For example, 45% of first-year probationers with
past drug use had been tested for drugs, compared to 63% of
those having served a year or more.

The amount of time served on probation had a smaller impact on
the reported levels of drug treatment.  While 16% of first-year
probationers had been treated for drug abuse during their
sentence, 19% of those probationers with at least a year served
had been treated.  For most levels of prior drug use, first-year
probationers were only slightly less likely to have received
drug treatment while on probation.  Of those using drugs at the
time of offense, 51% of first-year probationers had been
treated, compared 
to 53% of those with a year or more served.  

---------------------------------------------------
Types of drug treatment varied little among probationers with
differing severity of past drug use
---------------------------------------------------

Over a fifth of all probationers had received drug treatment at
some time in the past, with the percentage rising to a third of
those with prior drug use and half of those using drugs in the
month of the offense (table 9).  An estimated 17% of
probationers had received drug treatment while on their current
sentence; 15% had received prior treatment; and 4% had received
treatment while in prison or jail.  About half of those who
received drug treatment during their current sentence reported
that they were enrolled in a treatment program at the time of
the survey (8%).

Although some probationers had received drug treatment more than
once, they may not have been in the same kind of treatment
program each time.  Probationers had participated in several
different types of drug treatment programs, with outpatient care
(17%) and self-help groups (14%) being the most common (table
10).  Nearly equal percentages of probationers had received
counseling (8%), crisis or emergency care (8%), and inpatient
care (8%) at some time in the past.

The percentage of probationers reporting participation in each
type of program rose with the severity of prior drug use, but
outpatient care and self-help groups remained the most common
types of treatment.  Among those reporting drug use in the month
prior to the offense, 41% had received outpatient care, and 34%
had been in self-help groups.  Nearly equal percentages of these
probationers had received inpatient care (21%), crisis or
emergency care (19%), and counseling (19%).  

The percentage of probationers receiving drug treatment during
their current probation sentence rose with higher levels of
prior drug use (table 11).  While 25% of those probationers with
any prior drug use had received drug treatment during their
current probation sentence, this figure rose to 42% for those
using drugs in the month before the offense.  Among all
probationers, outpatient care (12%) and self-help groups (11%)
were the most common types of treatment received during
probation, with fewer probationers receiving counseling (6%),
inpatient care (4%), or crisis/ emergency care (4%).  Among
probationers who used drugs in the month of the offense,
outpatient care (30%) and self-help groups (28%) remained the
most popular types of programs.

Of the individual drug treatment programs, the most common among
all probationers were Narcotics/Cocaine Anonymous groups (11%),
drug rehabilitation (8%), and outpatient clinics (6%).  The
types of treatment programs did not differ according to the
level of the probationers' past drug use.  For probationers
using drugs in the month of the offense, the most common
programs were still Narcotics/Cocaine Anonymous (27%), drug
rehabilitation (20%), and outpatient clinics (17%).  Regardless
of prior drug use, the least common drug treatment programs were
employee assistance and methadone maintenance programs, Adult
Children of Alcoholics groups, emergency rooms, and crisis
centers.

---------------------------------------------------
A third of all probationers received alcohol treatment during
probation
---------------------------------------------------

While 22% of all probationers had received any type of drug
treatment in the past, almost twice as many probationers (41%)
reported having ever received treatment for alcohol abuse (table
12).  Past treatment was reported by nearly two-thirds of those
probationers who had engaged in alcohol-related fights and by
over three-quarters of those fitting the CAGE profile of alcohol
abuse. 

Compared to probationers with past drug use, a larger share of
probationers with a history of alcohol abuse had received
treatment.  For example, less than half (46%) of those
probationers who had used drugs regularly had ever received drug
treatment.  Among probationers reporting past incidents 
of "binge drinking," 63% had received treatment for alcohol
abuse in the past.  Among probationers under the influence of
alcohol at the time of their offense, even higher percentages of
past treatment were reported (73%). 

As was the case with probationers' participation in drug
treatment programs, self-help groups (32%) and outpatient care
(26%) were the most common types of past alcohol treatment. 
Equal percentages of probationers had received counseling (12%)
and crisis/emergency care (12%) in the past, while inpatient
care (8%) was the least common type of treatment.  

While the incidence of alcohol treatment rose with more severe
levels of alcohol abuse, the most common types of treatment
programs remained the same.  Among those probationers fitting
the CAGE profile of alcohol abuse, the percentage reporting any
type of past alcohol treatment rose sharply to 78%, but
self-help groups (68%) and outpatient care (56%) were still the
most common types of treatment.  Likewise, similar percentages
of probationers reported past emergency care (37%) and
counseling (34%), while inpatient care (25%) remained the type
of treatment least often received.

During their current sentence to probation, a third of all
probationers had received some type of alcohol treatment (table
13).  Twenty-four percent of probationers had participated in a
self-help group on their current probation sentence, while 18%
received outpatient care.  

Treatment was most often reported by those with more severe
histories of abuse.  The incidence of treatment during the
current sentence rose to nearly two-thirds for those
probationers fitting the CAGE profile for alcohol abuse (65%)
and those using alcohol at the time of offense (62%).  For all
levels of prior alcohol abuse, self-help groups and outpatient
care were the most common types of alcohol treatment, followed
by counseling and nearly equal percentages of emergency and
inpatient care.  

Of the individual treatment programs, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
was the most commonly used.  A quarter of all probationers (24%)
had enrolled in AA during their current sentence to probation,
followed by alcohol rehabilitation (11%) and outpatient clinics
(8%).  Across all levels of prior alcohol abuse, participation
in AA was nearly twice as high as any other alcohol treatment
program.  Among those probationers fitting the CAGE profile for
alcohol abuse, a majority (54%) had enrolled in AA on their
current probation sentence. 

---------------------------------------------------
Over 80% of current drug users had personal contact with their 
probation officer in the past 30 days
---------------------------------------------------

Nearly 100% of all current drug users -defined as those who
reported drug use in the month before the offense reported
having some kind of special condition included in their sentence
to probation (table 14).  Monetary conditions such as fees,
fines, and court costs were the most common condition (82%), and
27% reported an obligation to pay restitution to the victim of
their offense.  A majority of current drug users also reported
restrictions against the use of alcohol and drugs (56%).  Half
of current drug users had sentences requiring some kind of
substance abuse treatment, and 42% reported receiving drug
treatment on their current sentence.

Almost all current drug users (91%) had been contacted by their
probation officer in the past 30 days.  Personal contacts made
in the probation office were the most common form of reported
contact (84%), followed by telephone contacts (24%) and personal
contacts made in the field (21%).  Contacts made through the
mail, reported by 7% of current drug users, were the least
common type of reported contact.  Overall, personal contacts
with the probation officer (85%) were much more common than
those made through the mail or by telephone (31%).

---------------------------------------------------
Fewer than 1 in 7 current drug users on probation reported a 
prior drug offense sentence
---------------------------------------------------

Among those probationers reporting drug use in the month before
their offense, violent offenders (15%) made up the smallest
current offense category.  Current drug users were most likely
to be under sentence for drug offenses (42%), followed by
property (23%) and public-order (19%) offenses.  Less than a
fifth of current drug users reported committing their current
offense to obtain money for drugs.  Thirteen percent of current
drug users reported prior sentences for a drug offense; 8% had a
single past drug offense sentence, and 5% reported multiple
prior drug sentences.

---------------------------------------------------
Half of alcohol or drug-involved probationers received treatment 
on their current probation sentence 
---------------------------------------------------

Nearly a third of alcohol or drug-involved probationers were
currently enrolled in an alcohol or drug treatment program when
interviewed (table 15).  Half of alcohol or drug-involved
probationers said they were treated on their current sentence to
probation, and about two-thirds had been treated at some time in
their lives.  

---------------------------------------------------
Methodology
---------------------------------------------------

The 1995 Survey of Adults on Probation (SAP) was conducted for
the Bureau of Justice Statistics by the U.S. Bureau of the
Census.  It was the first nationally representative survey to
collect information on the individual characteristics of adult
probationers.

The SAP was comprised of two components:  (a) a review of
probationers' administrative records and (b) personal interviews
with probationers.  The information in this report was
obtained from personal interviews conducted by Census Bureau
representatives in probation offices between February 1995 and
September 1995.

Sample design
---------------------------------------------------

The sample for the survey was drawn from all 2,627 State,
county, and municipal probation agencies with a total of
2,618,132 formally sentenced probationers (appendix table 1). 
The universe came from the 1991 Census of Probation and Parole
Agencies.

The sample design was a stratified two-stage selection in which
probation agencies were sampled in the first stage and
individual probationers were sampled in the second stage.

In the first stage, probation agencies were stratified into 16
strata defined by government branch (executive or judicial),
level of government (State or local), and census region
(Northeast, Midwest, South, or West).  A total of 206 agencies
were selected.  Excluding 19 agencies subsequently determined to
be out of scope and 20 which refused to participate resulted in
a final total of 167 agencies selected for the administrative
records-check component.  (See Characteristics of Adults on
Probation, 1995.)

For the personal interview sample, 122 of the originally
selected agencies were chosen.  The largest 43 self-representing
agencies were selected with certainty.  Of the 122 clusters of
agencies that were not self-representing, 79 were selected using
a systematic sample.  Excluding agencies in the sample that
would only participate in the records checks resulted in a total
of 101 probation offices in which interviews were conducted.

Bureau of the Census field representatives visited each agency
selected for the records check and systematically selected a
sample of probationers using predetermined procedures.  Only
persons age 18 and older who were formally sentenced to
probation and who were not absconders were included.  Excluded
were persons supervised by a Federal probation agency, those
only on parole, persons on presentence or pretrial diversion,
and juveniles.

At agencies that had also been selected for inclusion in the
personal interview component, field representatives developed a
list of persons eligible for a personal interview by further
excluding those probationers not on active probation (defined as
being required to make office visits at any interval), those
incarcerated, and those in residential treatment.  Using
predetermined procedures, a systematic sample of probationers
was selected for personal interviews.

Approximately 1 of every 442 probationers were selected for a
records check, and a total of 5,867 records checks were
completed by a probation officer or other probation agency
representative.  The overall response rate of 87% for the
records-check component represents the combination of an agency
response rate of 88% and a records-check completion rate of 99%.

A total of 4,703 probationers were selected for a personal
interview.  To maximize response rates, probation office
personnel were asked to make initial contact with probationers
regarding the SAP, to schedule personal interviews to coincide
with regular office visits whenever possible, and to follow up
to encourage participation.  All interviews for the SAP were
conducted in the probation office.

Of the 4,703 probationers selected, 641 were in agencies that
refused to allow personal interviews.  A total of 2,030
interviews were completed, representing a 50% response rate in
participating agencies.  When combined with an agency
participation rate of 86% in the personal interviews and an
agency response rate of 88% for records checks, the overall
personal interview response rate totaled 38%.

Nonresponse adjustment
---------------------------------------------------

Estimates for the probation population were initially generated
for the records check component, based on the completed records
checks and on weighting factors derived from the original
probability of selection in the sample.  These factors were
adjusted for variable rates of nonresponse across strata.  A
further adjustment was made to the 1994 year-end counts of the
number of adults formally sentenced to probation-a total of
2,620,560 probationers.

Probation population estimates for the personal interview
component were developed next, starting with a site base weight
derived from the records check sample weights and the original
probability of a site being selected for the personal interview
sample.  Additional adjustments were made for agencies that only
participated in the records check and for persons who were
sampled but not interviewed.  The estimated total personal
interview population of 2,065,896 is smaller than the estimate
for the records-check component because of the exclusion of
probationers who were inactive, incarcerated, or in residential
treatment.   

Characteristics of nonresponse
---------------------------------------------------

Within the personal interview sample, probationers who kept in
closer contact with their probation officer were more likely to
complete an interview (appendix table 2).  Nearly 80% of
probationers interviewed had had face-to-face contact with their
probation officer in the past 30 days, compared to half of those
in the sample who did not complete an interview.  Because all
interviews were conducted in the probation offices, those
probationers required to make frequent visits to the office were
easier to schedule and were given more opportunities to complete
an interview.  

Felony probationers were also more likely to complete a personal
interview than other sampled probationers.  Felons made up
two-thirds of interviewed probationers, compared to half of
those not interviewed.  This difference is not surprising, given
that felons are more likely to be placed under close supervision
by their probation office.  Because most public-order offenders
were misdemeanants, they were less likely to be under close
supervision or interviewed.  (See Characteristics of Adults on
Probation, 1995.)  

Probationers who completed an interview were also less likely
than other sampled probationers to have had a prior sentence to
probation or incarceration.  This is likely the result of the
personal interview population's higher percentage of felons and
lower percentage of public-order offenders.  Because felons with
prior criminal sentences are more likely to receive a sentence
to incarceration than felons without prior sentences, many felons
on probation are likely to be first-time offenders.  Likewise,
probationers convicted of misdemeanor public-order offenses will
probably receive a probation sentence, regardless of prior
sentences.  

Comparing administrative records and personal interviews
---------------------------------------------------

After adjustment for the personal interview nonresponse
discussed above, the composition of the personal interview
sample closely resembled that of the records check (appendix
table 3).  One exception was the level of contact probationers
had with their probation officer, because of the exclusion of
inactive probationers from the personal interview sample.  As a
result, about 80% of the probationers in the personal interview
sample had had face-to-face contact with their probation officer
in the last 30 days, compared to 61% of those in the
records-check sample. (See Characteristics of Adults on
Probation, 1995, table 9.)  

While the composition of the personal interview sample was
influenced by the probationers' level of supervision, there was
no similar relationship to the amount of time served on
probation.  The personal interview sample included a slightly
higher percentage of first-year probationers (49%) than the
records-check sample (45%), but the overall distributions of
time served on probation displayed little variation.

In terms of demographic and offense characteristics, there was
also very little variation between the records check and
personal interview samples.  The personal interview and records
check samples included nearly identical percentages of men and
Hispanics.  Overall, the sex, race/Hispanic origin, and age
distributions of the probationers in the two samples displayed
no significant differences. 

After adjustment for nonresponse, the personal interview and
records-check samples had similar offense distributions and
about equal percentages of felons.  However, the personal
interview sample did include fewer probationers with a prior
sentence to probation or incarceration.

Accuracy of the estimates
---------------------------------------------------

The accuracy of the estimates presented in this report depends
on two types of error:  sampling and nonsampling.  Sampling
error is the variation that may occur by chance because a sample
rather than a complete enumeration of the population was
conducted.  Nonsampling error can be attributed to many sources,
such as the inability to obtain information about all cases in
the sample, the inability to obtain correct information from the
probationers, and processing errors.  In any survey the full
extent of the nonsampling error is never known.

The sampling error, as measured by an estimated standard error,
varies by the size of the estimate and the size of the base
population.  Estimates of the standard errors have been
calculated for the 1995 survey (appendix table 4).  These
estimates may be used to construct confidence intervals around
percentages in this report.  For example, the 95-percent
confidence interval around the percentage of adults who said
they committed the offense for which they were on probation
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is approximately
46.8% plus or minus 1.96 times 1.2% (or 44.4% to 49.2%).

These standard errors may also be used to test the significance
of the difference between two sample statistics by pooling the
standard errors of the two sample estimates.  For example, the
standard error of the difference between white and black adults
on probation who reported having been under the influence of
alcohol at the time of their offense would be 2.6% (or the
square root of the sum of the squared standard errors for each
group).  The 95-percent confidence interval around the
difference would be 1.96 times 2.6% (or 5.2%).  Since the
difference of 20.4% (46.6% minus 26.2%) is greater than 5.2%,
the difference would be considered statistically significant.

The standard errors reported should be used only for tests on
all probationers.  Comparisons of male and female probationers
require different standard errors.

---------------------------------------------------
The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of
the U.S. Department of Justice. Jan M. Chaiken, Ph.D., is director.

BJS Special Reports address a specific topic in depth from one
or more data sets that cover many topics.

Christopher J. Mumola wrote this report under the supervision of
Allen J. Beck.  Thomas P. Bonczar produced the methodology
section of the report.  Paula M. Ditton and Thomas Bonczar
provided statistical assistance and review.  Tom Hester edited
the report.  Yvonne Boston and Jayne Robinson, under the
supervision of Marilyn Marbrook, prepared the report for
publication.

Allen Beck and Thomas Bonczar designed the survey, developed the
questionnaire, and monitored data collection, production of
weights, and variance estimates.

LaTerri D. Bynum, Kenneth B. Dawson, and Marita K. Perez,
Demographic Surveys Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census, carried
out data collection and processing under the supervision of
Kathy Creighton, N. Gail Hoff, and Gertrude B. Odom.  Larry
Altmayer, under the supervision of Stephen T. Phillips, provided
programming assistance.  Denise Lewis, under the supervision of
Michael Roebuck and Thomas Moore, designed the sample and
weighting specifications.  Cynthia Eurich, Field Division,
coordinated the field operations, under the supervision of
Michael McMahon.  The affiliations date to the time of the
survey.

March 1998, NCJ 166611
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
This report and many of its data, as well as other reports and
statistics, can be found at the Bureau of Justice Statistics
World Wide Web site:  http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/

Characteristics of Adults on Probation, 1995, can be found at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/cap95.htm

The data from the 1995 Survey of Adults on Probation can be
obtained from the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data at
the University of Michigan, 1-800-999-0960.  The archive can
also be accessed through the BJS Web site.  When at the archive
site, search for data set ICPSR 2039.
---------------------------------------------------

TABLES

---------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS

                   Percent of probationers
                   under the influence at
                   the time of offense
                   -----------------------
Offense type           Alcohol   Drugs*

All probationers         40       14
  Non-DWI offenders      25       16

Severity of offense
  Felony                 28       18
  Misdemeanor            58        8 

Type of offense
Violent                  41       11
Property                 19       10
Drug                     16       32
Public-order             75        6
*Includes marijuana/hashish, cocaine/crack, heroin/opiates, barbiturates,
stimulants, hallucinogens, and other illegal drugs.

While on probation, 32% were treated for alcohol, 17% for drugs

                          Percent of 
                          probationers who
                          received treatment
Treatment type                     On 
and past use              Ever     current sentence

Any  treatment            48       38

Alcohol treatment         41       32

Binge drinkers\a          63       50
Alcohol dependent\b       78       65
Used at time of offense   73       62

Drug treatment            22       17

Ever used                 32       25
In month of offense       51       42
Used at time of offense   61       53

a/Defined as consuming the equivalent of a fifth of a 
gallon of liquor in a single day.
b/Based on self-reported indicators of prior alcohol abuse.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 1.  Alcohol or drug use at the time of offense, for adults on probation,
by type and severity of offense, 1995

                                           Percent of probationers who had 
                                           used at the time of the offense --

                              Number of                      Alcohol
Offense                       probationers Alcohol   Drugs   or drugs

Total                         2,064,145     39.9%    13.5%    46.8%
  Non-DWI offenses            1,637,769     24.7     16.1     33.4

Severity of offense\a
  Felony                      1,192,915     28.1%    17.5%    38.0%
  Misdemeanor                   788,335     57.9      8.0     60.4

Type of offense\b 

Violent offenses                413,200     40.7%    10.7%    43.5%
  Sexual assault                 95,200     31.8     10.9     33.0
  Assault                       226,284     45.5      9.3     47.5

Property offenses               589,729     18.5%     9.8%    23.0%
  Burglary                       95,189     38.5     23.3     49.4
  Larceny/theft                 168,273     16.3      9.6     20.8
  Fraud                         196,913      9.7      8.2     13.3

Drug offenses                   414,832     16.3%    31.7%    38.4%
  Possession                    216,710     14.4     26.6     33.5
  Trafficking                   181,438     16.2     36.6     42.2

Public-order offenses           631,571     75.1%     6.4%    77.0%
  Driving while intoxicated\c   426,376     98.3      3.3     98.5
  Other public-order            205,196     26.8     12.8     32.0


a\Excludes probationers for whom information on severity of offense was not
reported and those probationers sentenced for an offense other than a felony
or misdemeanor.
b\Some detailed offenses were not shown due to the small number of 
probationers represented. 
c\Includes probationers sentenced for driving under the influence 
of alcohol or drugs.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 2.  Prior drug use of adults on probation, 
by type of drug, 1995

                                     Percent of probationers

                                  Who had used drugs  Who were under the
                    Who had ever  in the month before influence of drugs
Type of drug        used drugs    their offense       the time of the of

    Any drug               69.4%        31.8%             13.5%

Marijuana/hashish          66.5         25.3               9.5
Cocaine/crack              31.0          9.2               3.8
Heroin and other opiates    8.1          1.5                .9
Barbiturates               15.4          2.0                .6
Stimulants                 25.3          4.8               1.8
Hallucinogens              19.7          2.7                .6


Note:  Excludes 11,712 probationers for whom 
information on drug use was not provided. 
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 3.  Number of positive CAGE responses for adult probationers,
by type of offense, 1995


                                       Percent of probationers, by the 
                        Number of      number of positive CAGE responses
Type of offense         probationers  1 or more 2 or more 3 or more  4

Total                     2,064,145     55.8%    40.3%    24.0%    10.4%

Violent offenses            413,200     55.2%    41.5%    21.8%     9.7%
  Sexual assault             95,200     53.0     39.6     18.7      4.7
  Assault                   226,284     53.1     43.2     23.7     13.6

Property offenses           589,729     43.6%    28.9%    18.3%     8.9%
  Burglary                   95,189     52.5     39.4     22.2     14.6
  Larceny/theft             168,273     41.6     25.8     15.2      4.5
  Fraud                     196,913     37.8     26.7     16.7      7.9

Drug offenses               414,832     47.6%    28.1%    15.7%     6.4%
  Possession                216,710     47.6     27.3     17.9      7.4
  Trafficking               181,438     46.1     27.1     11.7      4.7

Public-order offenses       631,571     72.9%    58.2%    36.1%    14.7%
  DWI                       426,376     83.1     67.6     40.9     16.3
  Other public-order        205,195     51.7     38.6     26.3     11.3
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 4.  Experiences while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
reported by adults on probation, 1995

                                       Percent of adults on probation
                                                             Alcohol
Past experience                          Alcohol    Drugs    or drugs

Have you ever driven a car or any
other vehicle while under the 
influence of alcohol. . .drugs?            56.7%    36.5%    63.9%

Have you ever had arguments
with your spouse, family or
friends while or right after
drinking. . .using drugs?                  46.5     25.3     51.4 

Have you ever lost a job because of
your drinking. . .using drugs?              7.5      6.7     10.9 

Have you ever had job or school
trouble because of your drinking. . .
using drugs (such as demotion at  
work or dropping out of school)?           12.9     12.7     18.5 

Have you ever been arrested or held
at a police station because of your
drinking. . .using drugs?                  41.7     17.3     49.8 

Have you ever gotten into a physical
fight while or right after drinking. . .
using drugs?                               32.3     13.3     34.5 

Have you ever had as much as a fifth
of liquor in one day (20 drinks, 3 six-
packs of beer, or 3 bottles of wine)?      35.3       --       --

Number of probationers*                 2,059,834  2,045,915 2,062,456


*The number of probationers providing valid data varied across 
these experience.
The numbers listed here reflect the experience for which the most 
probationers provided a valid response.
--Not applicable.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 5.  Experiences associated with the drug use of adult probationers, 
by prior drug use, 1995

                                        Percent of adults on probation
                                         Probationers with prior drug use      
                                                                      In the   
                                               Ever in               month
Past experience                         All    the past  Regularly*  before
offense

Any experience mentioned               43.0%       62.1%     82.7%    85.2%

Driven a vehicle under 
 the influence of drugs                36.5        52.7      72.7     74.3 

Argued with family, friends, spouse, 
or boyfriend/girlfriend under the 
influence of drugs                     25.3        36.5      53.5     56.0 

Lost job because of drug use            6.7         9.6      15.3     17.5 

Problems at work or school 
because of drug use                    12.7        18.3      28.0     30.3 

Arrested or detained by police 
because of drug use                    17.3         2.5      35.6     41.3 

Involved in physical fights 
under the influence of drugs           13.3        19.2      28.0     31.2 

Number of probationers              2,065,896    1,425,528   892,108  653,327


*Regular use is defined as once a week or more for at least a month.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 6.  Levels of prior drug use, by selected characteristics of adult probationers, 1995

                                                                 Percent of probationers
                                     Probationers level of prior drug use              Probationers prior alcohol abuse
                                                                                  Under the                      Had three or
                                                       In the                     influence of     Ever had a    more positive
                    Number of     Ever in  Used        month prior  At the time   alcohol at time  binge drink   CAGE
Characteristic      probationers  the past regularly/a to offense   of offense    of offense       experience\b  responses

All probationers      2,065,896     69.4%    43.4%      31.8%        13.5%         39.9%             35.3%       24.0%

Sex
  Male                1,636,017     69.9%    44.7%      33.7%        14.0%         43.5%             40.4%       25.5%
  Female                429,879     67.7     38.4       24.6         11.6          26.2              16.1        18.1

Race/Hispanic origin
  White non-Hispanic  1,264,990     72.8%    46.0%      33.1%        13.6%         46.6%             43.3%       28.6%
  Black non-Hispanic    50,9919     68.1     43.8       34.7         14.7          26.2              19.2        15.8
  Hispanic              22,8399     56.4     32.3       23.3         10.7          32.7              27.7        15.8
  Other                  62,588     59.3     29.0       14.5         13.8          41.5              34.5        27.0

Age
  24 or younger         556,760     69.9%    42.3%      38.3%        16.4%         26.1%             35.0%       14.4%
  25-34                 713,204     76.9     47.3       34.9         14.5          42.8              35.1        24.0
  35-44                 523,583     75.4     52.8       32.5         14.0          47.4              37.6        32.5
  45-54                 191,382     44.1     22.4       11.6          5.3          41.6              33.1        32.3
  55 or older            80,967     21.4      6.8        3.8          1.1          55.5              30.2        14.2

Education
  8th grade or less     114,818     49.6%    32.1%      25.8%        15.0%         42.7%             28.2%       26.4%
  Some high school      509,091     71.5     43.2       33.8         14.6          35.1              35.7        21.5
  GED                   224,007     83.6     57.7       44.6         17.4          43.1              44.7        31.0
  High school graduate  595,715     65.0     40.0       30.5         12.4          38.8              35.8        22.1
  Some college or more  586,236     70.6     44.4       27.3         11.7          43.8              33.0        25.6

a\Regular use is defined as once a week or more for at least a month.
b\Binge drinking is defined as having consumed a fifth of liquor in a single day, 
equivalent to 20 drinks, 3 bottles of wine, or 3 six-packs of beer.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 7.  Selected characteristics of alcohol- or 
drug-involved probationers

                       Percent of probationers 
                       reporting alcohol or 
                       drug involvement

    All probationers       67.3%

Sex
  Male                     70.9%
  Female                   53.7

Race/Hispanic origin
  White non-Hispanic       70.6
  Black non-Hispanic       64.0
  Hispanic                 58.8
  Other                    59.1

Age
  24 or younger            57.5%
  25-34                    72.5
  35-44                    73.4
  45-54                    60.2
  55 or older              66.6
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 8.  Drug testing and treatment of adult probationers, by level of prior 
drug use and time served, 1995 

                                                  Percent of probationers tested for    Percent of probationers receiving drug
                                                  drug use during probation sentence    treatment during probation sentence
                                                            Time served on probation             Time served on probation
                                    Number of               Less than  1 year                    Less than  1 year
Level of prior drug use             probationers   Total    1 year     or more          Total    1 year     or more
  
All probationers                     2,065,896     49.0%     40.5%      56.3%           17.4%     15.9%     18.7%

Used drugs --
  Ever                               1,425,528     54.8      45.4       63.2            24.7      21.9      27.1
  Regularly*                           892,108     61.2      52.7       68.4            35.8      32.5      38.7
  In the month before the offense      653,327     65.2      55.5       72.7            42.2      38.0      45.3
  At the time of the offense           277,778     69.8      58.6       77.2            52.6      51.2      53.3

Committed offense to get drug money    136,892     73.3      51.4       84.0            47.9      48.8      47.5
Ever used a needle to inject drugs     142,687     74.4      69.0       76.5            62.0      71.7      58.2


*Regular use is defined as once a week or more for at least a month.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 9.  Drug treatment history of adult probationers, by prior drug

                                         Percent of probationers
                                      Probationers with prior drug use
Participated in a drug                Ever in               In the month
treatment program               All   the past  Regularly*  prior to offense

Ever                           22.1%     31.6%    45.9%         51.2%
  While incarcerated            3.8       5.5      7.8           9.2
  Before current sentence      14.6      21.1     31.2          33.9
  During current sentence      17.4      24.8     35.9          42.2

Currently in program            8.1      11.6     17.5          20.6

Number of probationers    2,065,896 1,425,528  892,108       653,327


Note:  Probationers may have received treatment at multiple times
in the past. 
*Regular use is defined as once a week or more for at least a month.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 10.  Types of drug treatment ever received by adult probationers,
by prior drug use, 1995
                                          Percent of probationers
                                     Probationers with prior drug use
                                     Ever in               In the month
Drug treatment program      All      the past  Regularly*  prior to offense

  Any kind of treatment     22.1%    31.6%      45.9%       51.2%

Crisis/emergency care       7.9      11.4       17.1        19.3
Self-help group            13.7      19.8       30.2        33.9
Counseling                  8.4        12       18.3        19.1
Outpatient care            16.5      23.7       34.7        40.5
Inpatient care              7.9      11.3       17.7        20.7

Number of probationers  2,065,896 1,425,528  892,108     653,327


Note: Probationers may have received more than one type of treatment in the past.
*Regular use is defined as once a week or more for at least a month.
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
Table 11. Types of drug treatment received by adult probationers during
sentence to probation, by prior drug use, 1995

                                          Percent of probationers
                                         Probationers with prior drug use
                                         Ever in              In the month
Type of drug treatment            All    the past Regularly   prior to offense

Any type                          17.4%    24.8%    35.9%          42.2%

Crisis/emergency care              3.7%     5.4%     8.0%           9.8%
  Detoxification ward              3.4        5      7.3            9.1
  Crisis center                     .4       .6       .9            1.3
  Emergency room                    .8      1.2      1.9            2.4

Self-help group                   10.8%    15.7%    23.9%          27.6%
  Narcotics/Cocaine Anonymous     10.5     15.2     23.3           27.1
  Al-anon                          1.5      2.1      3.2            3.3
  Adult Children of Alcoholic       .3       .5       .7             .5
  
Counseling                         5.7%     8.1%    12.5%          14.0%
  Private physician                 .9      1.3      2.0            2.4
  Therapist/social worker          4.1      5.8      9.2           10.5
  Family/social service agency     1.1      1.6      2.5            3.1
  Employee assistance program       .1       .1       .1             0
  Clergy                           1.7      2.5      3.6            4.2

Outpatient care                   11.9%    16.9%    24.5%          29.9%
  Outpatient clinic                6.1      8.7     12.7           17.0
  Drug rehabilitation              7.6     10.8     15.7           19.5
  Day/partial care program         2.0      2.9      4.6            5.7
  Methadone maintenance program     .3       .5       .7              1
  Community mental health center   3.9      5.7      8.8            9.6

Inpatient care                     4.1%     5.9%     9.0%          11.8%
  Inpatient unit of psychiatric/
     general hospital              1.6      2.2      3.4            4.4
  Residential treatment/
    halfway house                  3.4      4.8      7.5            9.9

Number of probationers       2,065,896  1,425,528   892,108      653,327

*Regular use is defined as once a week or more for at least a month.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 12.  Types of alcohol treatment ever received by adult probationers, by prior 

                                                 Percent of probationers
                                     Under the        Ever had      Ever gotten    Had three o
Type of                              influence of     a binge       into physical  more positive
alcohol treat-                       alcohol at time  drinking      fight because  CAGE
ment program                  All    of offense       experience\*  of drinking    responses

   Any kind of treatment      40.6%      72.5%         62.9%          65.3%         78.1%

Crisis/emergency care         12.0       23.1          23.3           26.2         36.7%
Self-help group               31.5       56.8          52.6           55.3          67.9
Counseling                    12.4       22.8          24.2           23.4          33.5
Outpatient care               25.5       48.3          43.0           45.3          55.9
Inpatient care                 8.1       14.9          15.9           18.1          24.7

Number of probationers     2,065,896   821,030        727,253       665,300        494,933

*Binge drinking is defined as having consumed as much as a fifth of liquor in a sin
equivalent to 20 drinks, 3 bottles of wine, or 3 six-packs of beer.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 13.  Types of alcohol treatment received by adult probationers during their current 
by level of prior alcohol use, 1995

                                                                  Percent of probationers
                                           Under the         Ever had        Ever gotten      Had three or
                                           influence of      a binge         into physical    more positive
Type of alcohol treatment                  alcohol at time   drinking        fight because    CAGE
during the current sentence        All     of offense        experience\*    of drinking      responses

Any type of alcohol treatment       32.3%       62.2%            49.5%           51.8%            64.6%

Crisis/emergency care                4.3%        8.5%             8.0             9.6%            13.5%
  Detoxification ward                4.0         7.9              7.5             9.1             12.4
  Crisis center                       .4         1.0               .8              .7              1.3
  Emergency room                     1.1         2.0              2.5             2.5              4.2

Self-help group                     24.3%       47.6%            39.6%           42.4%            54.0%
  Alcoholics Anonymous              24.0        47.5             39.5            41.9             53.7
  Al-anon                            2.9         4.9              4.8             5.8              6.4
  Adult Children of Alcoholics        .6         1.0              1.1             1.4              1.7
  
Counseling                           7.7%       14.3%            15.2%           14.0%            22.1%
  Private physician                  1.6         3.6              3.4             3.7              4.6
  Therapist/social worker            5.5         9.9             10.9             9.8             16.8
  Family/social service agency       1.1         2.0              2.7             2.7              3.2
  Employee assistance program         .5         1.1              1.1             1.2              1.9
  Clergy                             2.1         4.3              5.3             4.9              6.6

Outpatient care                     18.1%        37.5%           29.8%           31.9%            40.3%
  Outpatient clinic                  8.2        17.2             14.3            15.2             20.9
  Alcohol rehabilitation            11.3        23.7             18.1            20.3             26.6
  Day/partial care program           2.8         5.7              5.4             5.6              6.4
  Community mental health center     5.3        11.1             10.7            10.2             14.6

Inpatient care                       4.0%        7.8%             8.2%            8.6%            12.8%
  Inpatient unit of psychiatric/
    general hospital                 2.0         3.9              4.7             4.3              6.6
  Residential treatment/
    halfway house                    3.1         6.3              6.4             7.4             10.7

Number of probationers            2,065,896     821,030        727,253          665,300          494,933


*Binge drinking is defined as having consumed as much as a fifth of liquor in a single day
equivalent to 20 drinks, 3 bottles of wine, or 3 six-packs of beer.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 14. Profile of sentencing, 
supervision, and treatment of current 
drug users on probation,

                            Percent of 
                            probationers
                            using drugs
                            in the month
                            before offense
Tested for drug use 
on current sentence             65.2%

Special conditions
  Any                           99.7%
Fees, fines, court costs        81.8
Restitution to the victim       26.9
Confinement/monitoring          12.7
No contact with victim, felons  10.7
Other restrictions              10.8
Community service               28.5

Alcohol/drug restrictions       55.5
Substance abuse treatment       49.5
Other treatment                 10.3
Employment and training         47.0
Other special conditions        15.4

Contacts with probation officer 
in last 30 days
  None                           8.6%
  Any                           91.4

    Personal                    85.4
      Office                    83.7
      Field                     21.1
    Other contact               31.0
      Mail                       7.4
      Telephone                 24.3

Drug treatment received 
on current sentence
  Any                          42.2%
Crisis/emergency care           9.8
Self-help group                27.6
Counseling                     14.0
Outpatient care                29.9
Inpatient care                 11.8

Drug treatment ever received
 Any                           51.2%
Crisis/emergency care          19.3
Self-help group                33.9
Counseling                     19.1
Outpatient care                40.5
Inpatient care                 20.7

Current offense type
  Violent                      14.8%
  Property                     23.4
  Drug                         42.1
  Public-order                 18.9

Prior sentences for drug offenses
  Any                          13.4%
1                               8.0
2+                              5.4

Committed offense to get 
money for drugs                17.6


Number of probationers       653,327


Note:  Current drug users are defined as those probationers 
who reported drug use in the month before their current offense.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Table 15. Treatment history of alcohol- or 
drug-involved probationers, 1995


Participated in
an alcohol or drug         Percent of alcohol- or
treatment program          drug-involved probationers



Ever                                  64.2%

While incarcerated                    10.2
Before current sentence               39.8
During current sentence               53.6

Currently in program                  30.1

  Number of probationers           1,390,572


Note: Probationers may have received treatment 
at multiple times in the past.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Appendix table 1.  Summary of the sample for the 1995 Survey 
of Adults on Probation

                                              Sample selections 
                              Census universe     Records check           Personal interview
                            Number       Number   Number      Number      Number     Number
Type of agency              of field of  proba-   of office   of proba-   of office  of proba-
and region                  offices      tioners  sites\a     tioners\b   sites\c    tioners\d

  Total                      2,627      2,618,132     167      5,867        101       2,030

Executive branch, State        1,448    1,176,429      85      2,744         53       1,214

  Northeast                       94       39,759       2         86          1          40
  Midwest                        321      153,469       8        319          4         109
  South                          803      873,858      70      2,199         45       1,033
  West                           230      109,343       5        140          3          32

Executive branch, local          198      411,825      24        910         18         348

  Northeast                       86      134,819       8        267          6         145
  Midwest                         52       67,781       4         94          3          40
  South                            7       19,584       1         22          0           0
  West                            53      189,641      11        527          9         163

Judicial branch, State           370      462,020      28      1,107         13         203

  Northeast                       41      203,294      13        504          5          64
  Midwest                        188      127,418       7        321          4          90
  South                           63       86,152       6        220          3          34
  West                            78       45,156       2         62          1          15
 
Judicial branch, local           611      567,858      30      1,106         17         265

  Northeast                       78       78,124       6        258          4          73
  Midwest                        347      223,831      10        371          6          98
  South                           42       49,120       3         88          2          17
  West                           144      216,783      11        389          5          77

Note:  The universe file for the 1995 Survey of Adults on Probation was 
based on the 1991 Census of Probation and Parole Agencies.  In this census, 
agencies reported the address of their field offices and the number of adults 
under supervision in each office.  Field offices were categorized based on the 
characteristics of their agencies by government branch (executive or judicial) and 
level of government (State or local). 
a\Of 206 offices selected for records checks, 19 were out of scope,
not currently supervising adult probationers, and 20 would not participate. 
b\Of 5,922 eligible probationers selected within 167 offices/sites, completed 
records-check forms were received for 5,867 (or 99%).
c\Excluding agencies which refused to participate in personal interviews from the 122 
agencies originally sampled resulted in a total of 101 offices where interviews were conducted.
d\Of 4,062 persons selected for a personal interview in participating agencies, 
2,030 interviews were completed (or 50%). 
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Appendix table 2.  Selected characteristics of the personal
interview sample of probationers, 1995

                              Personal 
                              interview sample
                          -----------------------------
Characteristic            Interviewed   Not interviewed
-------------------------------------------------------
Contact with probation 
officer in last 30 days

Any*                           88.2%    64.4%
  Personal                     79.4     50.8
  Mail                          9.2     11.5
  Telephone                    21.4     17.7

Offense type
  Violent                      19.0     14.9
  Property                     30.2     26.5
  Drug                         21.6     19.0
  Public-order                 27.5     37.6

Severity of offense
  Felony                       65.6%    50.9%
  Misdemeanor                  32.5     46.0

Prior probation or incarceration sentence

Yes                            42.1%    52.8%
No                             57.9     47.2

Number of probationers        695,548  689,297

*More than one type of contact was possible.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Appendix table 3. Selected characteristics of the personal 
interview and records-check samples of probationers, 1995

                               Personal   Records-
                               interview  check
Characteristic                 sample     sample

Sex
  Male                          79.2%    79.1%
  Female                        20.8     20.9

Race/Hispanic origin
  White non-Hispanic            61.2%    58.3%
  Black non-Hispanic            24.7     27.9
  Hispanic                      11.1     11.3
  Other                          3.0      2.4

Age
  17 or younger                   .7%      .5%
  18-24                         26.3     26.4
  25-34                         34.5     36.8
  35-44                         25.3     24.7
  45-54                          9.3      8.4
  55 or older                    3.9      3.2

Offense type
  Violent                       20.0%    17.3%
  Property                      28.6     28.9
  Drug                          20.1     21.4
  Public-order                  30.6     31.1

Severity of offense
Felony                          59.0%    58.3%
Misdemeanor                     39.0     38.7

Prior probation or incar-
ceration sentence
  None                          56.8     49.9
  Prior sentence*               43.2     50.1
   Juvenile                      7.9      9.0
   Adult                        38.2     45.1

Time served on probation
  Less than 6 months           24.5%     21.8%
  6-11 months                   24.5     23.3
  12-23 months                  25.1     27.3
  24-35 months                  13.7     13.5
  36 months or more             12.1     14.1

Number of probationers        2,065,896 2,620,560

*Detail may add to more than the total because some probationers
had prior sentences as both an adult and a juvenile.
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Appendix table 4.  Standard errors of the estimated percentages
for adults on probation, 1995

Base of                             Estimated percentages
the estimate      98 or 2  95 or 5  90 or 10   80 or 20   70 or 30   50

50,000             2.2      3.4        4.7      6.2         7.1      7.8
75,000             1.8      2.8        3.8      5.1         5.8      6.4
100,000            1.5      2.4        3.3      4.4         5.0      5.5
200,000            1.1      1.7        2.3      3.1         3.6      3.9
300,000            0.9      1.4        1.9      2.5         2.9      3.2
400,000            0.8      1.2        1.7      2.2         2.5      2.8
500,000            0.7      1.1        1.5        2         2.3      2.5
750,000            0.6      0.9        1.2      1.6         1.8        2
1,000,000          0.5      0.8        1.0      1.4         1.6      1.7
1,500,000          0.4      0.6        0.9      1.1         1.3      1.4
2,065,896          0.3      0.5        0.7      1.0         1.1      1.2
---------------------------------------------------


END OF FILE
LD 05/15/98