PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

One-third of all Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests are repeat offenders. There have not been any identifiable significant, long lasting counter measures for the problem. Studies suggest that long lasting results require focusing on the substance dependence of the habitual drinking and driving offender. Early results of a Nevada Department of Prison’s program that provided prisoners with extensive substance dependence counseling, depicted a reduced rate of recidivism of drinking and driving.

A second problem associated with repeat drinking and driving offenders is the extended time frame between the arrest and sentencing. During this period, which could last up to two years, the repeat offender is out of custody, unmonitored, and untreated.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Clark County District Attorney’s Office sought to establish a program that reduces drinking and driving recidivism that can be implemented by a prosecuting agency. The program provides long-term substance dependence treatment and intensive supervision. This program also offers an alternative to jail time and can be supported through payments made by the program participants.

The Serious Offender Program would:

• Reduce the recidivism rate of DUI drivers;

• Determine the rate of program failures; and

• Provide increased monitoring of repeat DUI offenders.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The program’s focus was to provide intense substance dependence counseling to those who continued to drink and drive despite prior convictions, and who have pled guilty to the current felony DUI charge pending against them. Additionally, program staff would closely monitor participants to determine success and failure rates.

Activities included:

• Continuously monitoring participants for program violations and substance abuse.

• Using interlock devices on the vehicles of drivers in the program for monitoring purposes.

• Using house arrest for those in the program when necessary for monitoring.

• Making the program self-funding through fines paid to the court by the program participants in lieu of court fines.

RESULTS

Although final results of the three-year program are pending, current information indicates that it has been a success. Twenty percent of the people who entered the program were incarcerated during the program due to violation of program rules. Of the people who have completed the program, there was only a three percent recidivism rate for DUI. An unexpected result of the program was a half-million dollar annual savings to the Nevada Department of Prisons, and a reduction in the court calendar, which in turn increased the efficiency of the court.

   SPRING 2002