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