Re-Offending after Program Completion: A Study into the Characteristics of the Hard-Core Recidivist Drink Driver

OBJECTIVE: Despite the proven benefits of convicted drink drivers completing rehabilitation programs, some participants go on to re-offend after successfully completing such interventions. This paper reports on an in-depth examination into a group of recidivist drink drivers who were convicted of another offence after completing a drink driving rehabilitation program (n = 35). DESIGN AND METHODS: A range of self-report and official data sources such as drinking behaviours, motivation, self-efficacy to change and offending history information (e.g., BAC levels) were analysed to highlight the attitudes and experiences of those who continue to re-offend. RESULTS: The analysis indicated that the group consumed harmful levels of alcohol both before and after program completion, were generally unwilling to change their drinking behaviours, reported frequently drink driving before their previous conviction (while avoiding detection), but indicated high self-efficacy levels and motivation to avoid drink driving. A further comparison with a non re-offending sample (n = 100) revealed the hard core group consumed significantly higher levels of alcohol and were more likely to report a considerable history of drink driving while avoiding detection. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study indicate that further interventions and/or supervision may be necessary for some individuals who continue to drink heavily both before and after program completion. The paper will further outline the major findings of the study and consider further sentencing options for individuals who display entrenched offending behaviours