Almost two-thirds of probationers who were under the influence of alcohol during their offense had received treatment for alcohol abuse while on probation. Almost half of all probationers said they had been tested for drug use while on their current probation sentence. This rose to 65 percent among those who had used drugs during the month before the offense and to 73 percent among those who said they committed their offense to obtain drug money. About 17 percent of all probationers reported participating in a drug treatment program during their sentence to probation, but these percentages rose as the severity of their prior drug use increased. The survey findings are based on personal interviews held in probation offices of a nationally representative sample of more than 2,000 adults under active supervision.
Probationers are criminal offenders whom courts have sentenced to supervision in the community.
Probation is generally imposed on offenders with few or no prior convictions or offenders convicted of less serious offenses.