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Drugs and Crime
Drugs and drug-using behavior are linked to crime in several ways. It is a crime to use, possess, manufacture, or distribute drugs classified as illegal. The effects of drug-related behaviorviolence as the effect of drug use, robberies to get money to buy drugs, violence against rival traffickersinfluence society daily.
In 1999, approximately 6.3 million adults3.1% of the Nation’s adult populationwere under correctional supervision (that is, incarceration, probation, or parole).1 Additionally, 98,913 juveniles (9% of whom were drug offenders) were incarcerated in public or private juvenile facilities for nonstatus offenses.2 Drug offenders accounted for 21% (236,800) of the State prison population in 1998, up from 6% (19,000) in 1980,3 and 59% (55,984) of the Federal prison population in 1998, up from 25% (4,749) in 1980.4 Also, in 1998, an estimated 26% (152,000) of all inmates under local supervision were incarcerated for drug offenses.5 This increase in the drug offender prison population mirrors the steady increase in arrests for drug offenses. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported 580,900 arrests for drug offenses (5.6% of all arrests) in 1980. The number of arrests peaked at 1,559,100 (10.4% of all arrests) in 1997. In 1999, there were 1,532,200 drug arrests, which accounted for 10.9% of all arrests.
In 1997, 82,646 and 993,365 male inmates were in Federal and State prisons, respectively, and 6,426 and 66,242 female inmates were in Federal and State prisons, respectively. Women in State prisons were more likely to report using drugs in the month before their offense (62% versus 56%). Women in State prisons (40%) were also more likely then male inmates (32%) to have committed their offense under the influence of drugs. In Federal prisons, male inmates were more likely than female inmates to report regular drug use and drug use a month before their offense. The percentageage cost per year to incarcerate an inmate of male (23%) and female (19%) Federal prison inmates reporting drug use at the time of their offense was about equal.7 In 1998, 65.5% of convicted jail inmates had used drugs regularly and 16% had committed their offense to get money for drugs. More than one-third (35.6%) of jail inmates had committed their offense under the influence of drugs.8
BJS reports that 24% of the adults on probation in 1998 were sentenced for a drug offense, up from 21% in 1995. In 1995, almost all probationers had one or more special conditions to their probation (such as fees, fines, drug testing, drug or alcohol alcohol drug rehab malibu, or community service). Of those adults sentenced with special conditions, 41% were required to undergo drug or alcohol alcohol drug treatment malibu and approximately 33% were subject to mandatory drug testing.9
Estimated number of drug offenders under Federal, State, and local supervision, 1998
Drug Offenders Percent of All Inmates
Federal 55,984 59% (95,323)
State 236,800 21 (1,141,700)
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