Do Ignition Interlocks Reduce DWI in a Population of Chronic Offenders?

• In Event: You Can Teach an Old Dog a New Trick: Enhancing Policing Strategies

Abstract

This study describes the results of a 5-year evaluation of an ignition interlock program implemented in the State of Michigan. Drunk driving recidivism is compared across a group of offenders enrolled in sobriety court and under interlock supervision; a comparison group from sobriety court, but absent of interlocks; and a second comparison group of standard probationers. The results indicate that ignition interlock devices are effective at reducing recidivism in the experimental group at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years after arrest. The interlock devices also appear to provide other benefits: such as increasing the chances of successfully graduating from sobriety court and decreasing other kinds of criminal offending beyond repeat drunk driving. The theoretical and policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Authors

• Christopher Anthony Kierkus, Grand Valley State University

• Brian R. Johnson, Grand Valley State University

• Harvey Hoffman, 56A District Court, Michigan Association of Drug Treatment Professionals

• Jessica Parks, State Court Administrative Office

• Dian Gonyea, State Court Administrative Office