Robyn L. Cohen, Bureau of Justice Statistics

September 1, 1992    NCJ 134728

The findings were from the 1989 Survey of Inmates of Local Jails, which obtained data from interviews with a nationally representative sample of 5,675 inmates in 424 jails during the summer of 1989. This report also analyzes recent trends in arrest for drunk driving. These data were obtained from Uniform Crime Reports provided by State and local police agencies. The survey found that offenders charged with or convicted of drunk driving were more than 1 in every 11 inmates. Among convicted inmates, 86 percent of those serving a sentence for drunk driving had been sentenced in the past. Almost one-third of the drunk-driving inmates had served three or more previous sentences in jail or prison. Among those arrested for driving while impaired, those jailed were more likely to be the serious offenders. Between 1980 and 1989, the number of arrests nationwide for drunk driving increased nearly 22 percent while the number of licensed drivers increased 14 percent. 16 tables

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