Wreck on the Highway: The Intersectionality of Driver Culpability, THC, Other Intoxicants and Fatalities in Washington State

Objective: Given the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2012 in Washington State and recent mixed results regarding the effects of cannabis on driver safety, we examine the link between Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) and driver’s behavior, including speeding and driver errors which may have contributed to a particular fatal crash. Methods: The current study utilized data from the Washington State Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical File (WA FARS) in years 2008-2016. A series of logistic regression were employed to compare THC positive and negative drivers, as well as drivers who tested positive for other intoxicants. Results: The results of the study were mixed as Delta-9 THC positively predicted speeding, but not other driver errors. Interestingly, Carboxy THC, a non-psychoactive chemical that can be detected for a longer period of time, was a significant predictor of both speeding and driver errors. Conclusions: This research further demonstrates that cannabis is a risk factor for fatal crashes, though it is not nearly a risk factor of the same magnitude as alcohol. Additional research is needed to better understand why Carboxy THC is a stronger and more robust predictor of poor driving behavior than Delta-9 THC

Probation Officer Roles: A Statutory Analysis

There are a limited number of studies that explore the legally prescribed roles of probation officers. To address this, the current study employed a statutory analysis to examine how probation officer roles have changed over the past 30 years, identifying which tasks and roles are statutorily mandated for probation officers. Findings indicate that there is an emergence of a case manager approach in the legally prescribed roles for probation officers in many states, even though law enforcement-oriented tasks are slightly more prescribed by law than rehabilitation-oriented tasks

What Legally Prescribed Functions Tell Us: Role Differences Between Adult and Juvenile Probation Officers

The authors\u27 current study, which is built on prior attempts to explore legally prescribed probation functions across 50 states and the District of Columbia, examines the statutorily prescribed duties of adult and juvenile probation officers in the past 10 years. Analyses of role shifts and the complementarities and differences that exist in the statutes are also explored

Disciplinary Segregation’s Effects on Inmate Behavior: Institutional and Community Outcomes

Disciplinary segregation (DS) is practiced in a variety of correctional settings and a growing body of research explores its subsequent effects among offenders. The present study contributes to this literature by analyzing the impact of short-term DS on violent infractions and community recidivism among a sample of inmates in Washington State. We assessed the impact of DS on these outcomes from deterrence and stain theory perspectives while controlling for social support variables such as visitations and correctional programming. Mentally ill offenders were excluded, as their abilities to make rational choices may be inconsistent with deterrence theory. Results show DS does not significantly affect post-DS infractions. Social supports significantly reduced inmates’ odds of violent infractions while incarcerated. Community models indicate no substantive differences between the DS and non-DS groups on post-prison convictions 3 years after release. Overall, DS exhibited limited effects on offenders’ institutional or community outcomes

Understanding Offender Needs Over Forms of Isolation Using a Repeated Measures Design

A number of studies find that solitary confinement is associated with mental impairment. Yet, confinement dosage and which individual and exogenous variables lead to mental impairment have received less attention. This study of 2 years of data on disciplinary segregation male inmates employs a repeated measures design to examine how isolation affects mental health and psychological needs. The findings indicate that the duration of disciplinary segregation and incarceration, incidence of homelessness, and other individual-level factors had deleterious effects on mental health and psychological needs. Vocational programming and a high school education were found to be protective factors for psychological needs

THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS AND THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA ON FATAL CRASHES IN WASHINGTON STATE

As cannabis use is legalized in more states, traffic crashes and fatalities related to cannabis and other drugs are becoming a major public health and safety issue. While researchers and policy makers have focused considerable attention on the impact of legalization initiatives (such as I-502) on public health and safety, much remains unknown about the effects of cannabis intoxication and legalization initiatives on the risk of a motor vehicle crash. Specifically, the sole effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana, and the possible interaction effect of THC with alcohol on motor vehicle crashes are unclear. The current study attempted to fill this gap by examining the links between THC, alcohol, their interaction, and undesirable outcomes involved in fatal crashes using Washington State Fatality Analysis Reporting System (WA FARS) data from 2008 to 2017.Findings from bivariate correlation analyses showed a number of significant relationships between THC intoxication and individual-level variables, including age, gender, unlicensed driver, and driver history of traffic violations. In addition, results from binary logistic analyses showed that the presence of THC was not a significant predictor of speeding and driver error. Moreover, findings from three additional analyses, including PSM, PSW, and qualitative file review, showed that drivers who had a positive blood test for alcohol alone or the combination of THC and alcohol were more likely to engage in risky behaviors and be exposed to undesirable outcomes in fatal crashes. However, THC alone was not a risk factor for undesirable outcomes related to fatal crashes. Particularly, the results for THC alone seemed to vary and the effect size was low. Finally, results from an interrupted time-series analysis showed a statistically significant increase in THC-positive drivers involved in fatal crashes after the implementation of I-502 in Washington, but showed no further increase after cannabis retail shops opened in July 2014. Overall, a strong and consistent effect of THC in the blood of drivers on adverse outcomes involved in fatal crashes was not found in the current study

Child (Un)Awareness of Parental Incarceration as a Risk Factor: Evidence from South Korea

A large body of research has been devoted to the relationship between parental incarceration and adverse outcomes for children, but such studies often compare children of incarcerated parents to those whose parents have never been imprisoned. Research is lacking regarding the effects of parental incarceration on children aware of their parent’s imprisonment compared to those who are unaware of their parent’s incarceration. In the current study we use propensity score weighting with a sample of 219 incarcerated Korean parents to examine differences in developmental outcomes between children cognizant of their parent’s incarceration and those who are unaware of parental imprisonment. We found that, compared to a control group of children not aware of their parent’s imprisonment, children aware of their parent’s incarceration demonstrate decreases in educational attainment and increases in depressive symptoms, victimization, and criminal justice system involvement. We also reveal that maternal incarceration has a larger impact on children’s developmental consequences than paternal incarceration. We discuss implications from our research, which may inform how children of incarcerated parents are treated in schools and their communities, so they do not face the stigmatization that their parent faces. Additionally, we recommend that children receive more contact with their incarcerated parent as well as acknowledgement that awareness of a parent’s imprisonment may present as a risk for children regarding their education, depressive symptoms, victimization, and criminal justice system involvement in South Korea

Social support and the gendered experience of incarceration in South Korean prisons

Although many studies on social support have demonstrated promising evidence of positive outcomes in a variety of criminal justice settings, not enough empirical research has been conducted on gender effects in a prison setting. Using a sample of 359 Korean inmates (303 men and 56 women), this study examines whether social support lessens involvement in prison misconduct and whether male and female inmates are similarly affected. The findings indicate that female inmates are less likely to engage in misconduct than male inmates. In addition, whereas male inmates are provided with more institutional social support than female inmates, female inmates are more likely to be provided with more informal social support than male inmates. Implications for further research and correctional policy are discussed

Direct and indirect effects of procedural justice on cooperation and compliance: evidence from South Korea

Procedural justice now plays an important role in the study of policing. While most empirical research on the effects of procedural justice has been carried out in Western countries, there has been little empirical research on its effects in East Asia, where authority dynamics are thought to differ from those in the West. Using a sample of 301 South Korean citizens, this study examines the direct and indirect effects of procedural justice and other factors on cooperation and compliance with police and the law. The results show that procedural justice has a significant, positive direct effect on obligation to obey, but not on cooperation or compliance. Procedural justice has a significant, positive indirect effect on cooperation via obligation to obey, but it does not have a significant indirect effect on compliance. We discuss the implications of these results for procedural justice theory and its applications in different settings, including East Asia

Direct And Indirect Effects Of Procedural Justice On Cooperation And Compliance: Evidence From South Korea

Procedural justice now plays an important role in the study of policing. While most empirical research on the effects of procedural justice has been carried out in Western countries, there has been little empirical research on its effects in East Asia, where authority dynamics are thought to differ from those in the West. Using a sample of 301 South Korean citizens, this study examines the direct and indirect effects of procedural justice and other factors on cooperation and compliance with police and the law. The results show that procedural justice has a significant, positive direct effect on obligation to obey, but not on cooperation or compliance. Procedural justice has a significant, positive indirect effect on cooperation via obligation to obey, but it does not have a significant indirect effect on compliance. We discuss the implications of these results for procedural justice theory and its applications in different settings, including East Asia