Drug Crime Nexus: What Can We Learn About Drug Use patterns from Prisoners?

• In Event: Dynamic Needs in Correctional Populations: Expanding Horizons

Abstract

The Prison Project, a longitudinal study conducted in the Netherlands, interviews offenders during their stay in prison (up to three times) and two times post-release. Using self-report data of nearly 1700 prisoners, we examine their drug use prior to incarceration. Prisoners are categorized into three groups: hard core (use heroin, cocaine, methamphatamines), soft drugs (marijuana), and other drug use (ecstasy,speed, etc.). Eight criminogenic factors are examined across the three types of drug abusers: peer drug use, history of family drug use, antisocial thinking, antisocial values and orientation, criminal history, criminal personality, leisure activities, employment and education. Additional stability factors include mental health functioning, housing, and chronic diseases. Models will be constructed to assess latent classes relating drug use and crime patterns. This study is designed to explore theories related to the drug-crime connection.

Authors

• Anja Dirkzwager, NSCR

• Paul Nieuwbeerta, Leiden University

• Faye Taxman, George Mason University