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Abstract
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The use of alcohol and the role of alcohol intoxication in the crime was studied in 307 males entering the North Carolina prison system after conviction of serious assaultive crimes. The majority (80%) were convicted of homicide (1st and 2nd degree murder and manslaughter), and the remainder (20%) committed a variety of felony assaults. Only 8% of the subjects were abstainers, and 36% were problem drinkers. The problem drinkers often had previous arrests for alcohol offenses (70%) and also were more likely to have previous nonalcohol criminal records (67%) and previous serious assaults (50%) than were other subjects. The problem drinkers were unlikely to have been engaged in treatment of alcoholism (13%) and almost never voluntarily sought treatment. The majority (58%) of the subjects were definitely drinking at the time of the crime, and a substantial number (40%) of the victims were definitely drinking at the time of the assault. Amnesia for the cime was uncommon (13%) among those who were drinking; but of those subjects who did claim amnesia, almost all had been drinking. Alcohol use appeared to be a significant ingredient in the production of the assaultive behavior in the majority of the cases. The majority of the subjects who were intoxicated at the time of the crime did not consider their state of intoxication as relevant to their behavior in spite of the seeming advantage to do so.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study by Mayfield was to determine the role of alcohol in criminal behavior.
METHODOLOGY:
A quasi-experimental design was employed which collected data from a two year time period, prior to 1976, of a sample of 345 male state prisoners from North Carolina. From this group 307 subjects were selected who had total accounts of their crimes (e.g., did not have amnesia or denial) and had an I.Q. > than 70. The men were convicted of crimes ranging from assault with a deadly weapon to first degree murder.
A social history collected data on: family background, birth, early development, education, sexual history, religion, occupation, medical, marital, and military service. Past criminal records were made available through FBI and state criminal record systems. The MMPI test, educational achievement, and Beta I.Q. information was gathered for each subject. Data on each subject was then systematically recorded on a summary data sheet.
During this two year time frame, post mortem examinations of victims from the Chief Medical Examiner's office were reviewed and blood alcohol levels of homicide victims were recorded and correlated with the account of the crime. Analysis determined range and frequency. The Hollingshead Two Factor Index of Social Position determined social class.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
Results revealed that 80% of the sample were convicted of homicide while 20% committed felony assaults; 36% were problem drinkers; 70% were more likely to have past nonalcohol criminal records; and 58% were drinking at the time of the assault. Also noted was that 40% of the victims had been drinking.
Common factors found in this study included assaults committed while intoxicated, history of intoxication, victims use of alcohol, and assaults occurring in a drinking environment. Results indicated that these assaults were not crimes of passion, but more of action-reaction, between acquaintances. Usually both men were intoxicated and one was armed with a lethal weapon. Alcohol was seen as a concomitant of an event which would produce assaultive behavior. The author concluded that if alcohol had not been available, the assault would not have taken place.
Most subjects had histories of problem drinking, chronic assaultive behavior, and a combination of both. The author stated that, given the criminal history, the events had an "aura of inevitability". The author saw a need for intervention and prevention, however, there was no indication that any such programs had been attempted. This study indicated the strongest correlation currently found between guns, alcohol, and serious assaults.
AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
The author conceded that altering the drinking habits of these subjects would be difficult, but thought it necessary. The author suggested reducing the availability of firearms to these types of men, along with providing some behavior modification training. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
N1 - Call Number: F-253, AB-253
KW - 1970s
KW - North Carolina
KW - Alcohol Related Crime
KW - Alcohol Related Violence
KW - Alcohol Use Effects
KW - Crime Causes
KW - Violence Causes
KW - Adult Inmate
KW - Adult Male
KW - Adult Crime
KW - Adult Violence
KW - Adult Substance Use
KW - Adult Offender
KW - Male Crime
KW - Male Violence
KW - Male Inmate
KW - Male Substance Use
KW - Male Offender
KW - Inmate Studies
KW - Offender Substance Use
KW - Substance Use Effects
KW - Substance Use-Violence Co-Occurence
KW - Substance Use-Crime Co-Occurence
KW - Physical Assault Causes
KW - Physical Assault Offender
KW - Homicide Causes
KW - Homicide Offender
KW - Incarcerated
KW - Offender Characteristics
Language: en |