High-Risk Impaired Drivers: Combating a Critical Threat

Community supervision support Providing training to community supervision officers that addresses unique DUI issues is critical. One expert pointed out, however, that it is common for probation officers to not have information on how IID or other monitoring technology works (M. Stodola, personal conversation, March 2019). This lack of awareness minimizes the effectiveness of supervision, which includes administering swift and meaningful sanctions in the event of any violation of the sentencing terms. Free training and assistance on DUI community supervision (particularly for the highest-risk offenders) and the use of validated risk and needs assessments and alcohol and other drug monitoring technologies to inform decisions is available through the American Probation and Parole Association. Is One Monitoring Technology Best? All technology used to monitor HRIDs has advantages and disadvantages. Transdermal monitoring, for example, provides certainty and celerity of punishment, but will not stop a motorist from getting behind the wheel if s/he is impaired. At the same time, a vehicle equipped with an IID will not start if the driver blows over a pre-set limit, usually .02. But this same driver may have access to a vehicle not equipped with an IID. That is why all monitoring technologies should be on the table, so the multidisciplinary team can design a monitoring strategy that is based on each offender’s unique risk level and needs. This individualized strategy may call for the use of one device during the duration of the offender’s supervision or the use of multiple devices concurrently. Or, the devices may change based on ongoing assessment conducted by a trained professional. PAGE 19 of 61 Accountability is a core concept of the individualized justice approach and community supervision officers are key to ensuring HRID accountability. It is vital that community supervision partners have a seat at the table and be actively involved in reviewing individual DUI cases, so they are fully informed about an offender’s program requirements and sanctions for violating those terms. When community supervision officers are fully informed and involved, they can provide swift and certain incentives and sanctions for an offender’s conduct after it occurs.
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The 24/7 Sobriety Program is an intervention strategy that requires convicted DUI offenders to abstain from alcohol and drugs as a condition of bond or pre-trial release. Offenders who fail to do so, face swift and certain punishment. First piloted in South Dakota (SD) in 2005 and expanded statewide in 2007 to all but six counties, 24/7 is used by a small number of other states including Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Washington (several others are piloting or have enabling legislation to pilot the program)… A study examining the first six years of the SD 24/7 Program found that it reduced county-level repeat DUI and domestic violence arrests by 12 and 9 percent, respectively. The lead researcher noted that, “frequent alcohol testing with swift, certain and modest sanctions for violations can reduce problem drinking and improve public health outcomes” (Kilmer et al., 2012).