Measuring Alcohol Abuse and the Incidence of Serious Misconduct in Violent Offenders

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship of a self-report measure of alcohol abuse (Alcohol Dependence Scale [ADS]) and subsequent serious institutional infractions. A correctional sample of 207 violent offenders participated in the study. Results showed a difference in the total number of infractions among levels of alcohol dependence. Specifically, offenders with substantial alcohol dependence, which has been shown to be indicative of polysubstance abuse, were involved in more serious incidents than those with other levels of dependence. However, there was no direct correlation between the ADS total score and the outcome variables. Implications for institutional classification and prediction of misconduct are discussed.