U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Specifying the Relationship Between Arrestee Drug Test Results and Recidivism
NCJ Number
              141451
Journal

*Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology* Volume: 83 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1992) Pages: 364-377
Author(s)
          D A Smith;
                        C Polsenberg
Date Published

1992
Length
              14 pages
Annotation
              Over the last 15 years, research has confirmed what many criminal justice practitioners have long suspected; among criminal populations, drug use is a predictor of future criminal activity.
Abstract
              Improved drug testing technology has significantly enhanced the ability to obtain information about an arrestee's recent drug use. The use of this information, however, represents a source of considerable debate. Some propose that evidence of an arrestee's recent drug use should play a role in decisions about pretrial detention, including what requirements should be imposed as a condition of release. Opponents contend the results predict future criminality but only because drug test information duplicates other risk factors, such as the accused's prior criminal history. Opponents argue that widespread drug testing of arrestees is unnecessary because information on other risk factors is readily available, cheaper, and less intrusive. The results of an analysis of persons arrested in the District of Columbia during 1990 showed that the presence of drugs in urine specimens taken shortly after arrest was significantly associated with an increased probability that the person would be subsequently arrested for a new crime. This association persisted even after other risk factors for recidivism, such as prior record, employment status, and age, were taken into account.  Further, the strength of the association between drug use and recidivism varied with the presence of absence of other risk factors. Specifically, arrestee drug test information was strongly related to recidivism among arrestees who otherwise were at lower risk of future offending. 26 footnotes and 4 tables
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        90-IJ-CX-0045


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 1992
    
          Downloads
        
                      *No download available*

Related Datasets
        
                      http://dx.doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR06122
Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Arrest procedures
        Crime prediction
        Criminality prediction
        Drug testing
        Drug use



  
Similar Publications
        
                      The Experiences of Men with Substance Use Disorders Exiting Prison at the Height of the Opioid Crisis
                  Research in Brief: Predictive Policing: Understanding and Applying Analytical Techniques To Prevent and Combat Crime
                  Coinciding crises: The effects of the police legitimacy and opioid crises on the culture of a specialized drug investigation unit
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov