Plea Bargaining - Alcohol Abuse

Abstract

Alcohol abuse continues to be a problem in the prisons systems and society. Generally, a large proportion of offenders in the criminal justice system have alcohol-related problems. In fact one third of individuals who commit crimes were intoxicated when they committed a crime. Also, they become irresponsible and create problems with maintaining employment, preventing family problems and facing society concerns. People of all ages consume and abuse alcohol, especially older adults. However, older adults seems to have better control with managing their impulse, as oppose to adolescence who are still in the development stage and lack maturity to use good judgment and making appropriate decisions. The cost of treatment is expensive as well, but the Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) has a good reputation for providing treatment to alcohol abusers, along with other resources if desired.

Alcohol abusers do not always consider the consequences involved with continual alcohol use. On many occasions they are influenced when attending social activities such as parties, gang related events and business meeting. George, Rogers and Duka (2005) talked about the "long-term adverse effects of alcohol on the executive cognition function in chronic alcohol abusers" (p. 160). For example, there is a deficit in an individual's memory and thought process which impairs their ability to utilize their organizational and sequencing skills. In addition, alcohol abusers are not able to control their desires. They become intoxicated and unable to control their impulsivity. Many eventually engage in criminal and violent behaviors, therefore causing harm to their victims, creating hardship to the families, along with societal concerns. The consequences are detrimental and lead to countless health issues. Renna (2008) recorded a statement that was provided by Volpicelli, 2001 who discovered alcohol abuse and alcoholism have become a tremendous burden on society, therefore enforcing an enormous financial budget. Renna (2008) also reported that Volpicelli (2001) said, "These two syndromes are associated with a number of medical morbidities, including cirrhosis and fetal anomalies" (p. 1131). Even though there are other types of controlled substances that influence abnormal behavior, alcohol evokes the energy or urge to commit criminal activity more than any other drug.

Lapham (2004) said when the 2002 National Crime Victimization Survey was conducted, "21.6 percent of victims" knew that their offender was under the influence of alcohol and possibly used other drugs when attacked (p. 85). He also report 40 percent of individuals who are on probation, confined in state prisons and held in jail admitted that they were under the influence of alcohol during the time of their offense. Lewis and Mhlanga (2001) reported that alcohol abuse and illegal drug use in the prison system had increased enormously. Their studies discovered that three quarters of the offenders who had alcohol related problems had also used illegal drugs within the previous 12-month period. They also unveiled the fact that alcohol abuse can be linked to the use of other controlled substances such as cocaine, crack, amphetamines, ecstasy and heroin. This evidence is much more prevalent among the general population. Additional studies provided by Lewis and Mhlanga (2001) reported one of the main points that should not be overlooked is the fact that the misuse of drugs and alcohol certainly involves offenders' criminal behavior. Also their research revealed 24 percent of offenders admitted to being under the influence of alcohol when committing their crime or desiring to purchase alcohol, as well as "two in five (42%) said, all of their offences had been connected with alcohol, with a further 20% saying that some of the crimes committed were connected" (p. 230). Without shame, some offenders further stated their excessive use of alcohol caused them to use poor judgment along with not having the ability to control their impulse. Based on the numbers listed above, our prison are filled to the capacity because of violators and those who are already incarcerated and fail to submit to some type of rehabilitation treatment. According to Clear, Cole and Reisig (2008) the prison system continue to struggles with managing men and women who abuse alcohol. Clear (2008) said,

Although research on alcoholic offenders has focused on the incarcerated, these offenders appear in other correctional environments as well. One survey found that offenders convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) made up 14 percent of probations, seven percent of jail inmates, and two percent of state prisoners ²º. Like drug abuser, alcoholics present problems for probation officers, communication treatment providers and parole officers. Because some alcoholics become assaultive when they drink, dealing with them is neither pleasure nor safe. (Clear, Cole & Reisig, 2008, p. 148)

According to Lapham (2004) U. S. crime rate has increased enormously due to the large number of people who are arrested annually after being tested for alcohol use and driving while impaired (DWI). In addition, 40 percent of automobile accidents involve a death which is also associated with alcohol use. Statistically, alcohol used by men and women contributes to as much as 100,000 deaths a year. In addition, according to Perepletchikova, Krystal and Kaufman (2008) alcohol use cause death to adolescents who are involved in motor vehicle accidents, homicide and suicide. Clear, Cole and Reisig (2008) said, "alcohol is more closely associated with crimes of violence than any illegal drug, and the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities is about the same as the number of homicides" (p. 148). The recidivism in the criminal justice system has yet to be addressed among inmates and those individuals whose probation has been revoked due to alcohol abuse which are linked to criminal activities. Finally, unnecessary debt, rehabilitation treatment and lost of employment create hardship.

Sorocco and Ferrel (2006) talked about the ages of alcohol abuser, but placed special emphases on older adults who are called the 'invisible epidemic', meaning they are hard to diagnose (p. 453). According to research over 40 percent of adults at age 60 and older have been identified as alcohol abuser (p. 453). This problem is significant in as much older adults are involved in binge drinking and consume more than five drinks a day. In addition, the numbers associated with alcohol abusers are increasing especially among older adults with medical problems. Some have become dependent upon alcohol, have psychological issues and social lives with others is