Prison sentences for drug offenses do not deter future drug offending

Evidence

Of the relatively few rigorous studies that measure the effect of more punitive drug sanctions on subsequent drug offending (Green & Winik, 2010; Mitchell, Cochran, Mears, & Bales, 2017; Spohn & Holleran, 2002), none found a specific deterrent effect. All three of these studies compared the recidivism of drug offenders who received terms of imprisonment to those who did not. The Green and Winik (2010) and Mitchell et al. (2017) studies found that formerly imprisoned drug offenders had recidivism rates no different than drug offenders who received less severe, community-based punishments. The third study by Spohn and Holleran (2002) found that formerly imprisoned drug offenders recidivated more often and sooner than drug offenders who had not been imprisoned. Mitchell and colleagues (2017) also found that imprisonment for drug offending did not have meaningful specific deterrent effects on the recidivism of White, Black, or Hispanic offenders. Simply stated, there is no evidence that either more punitive drug sanctions or prison sentences achieved the stated goal of specific deterrence. — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 1078 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Punishment severity does not affect crime rates; Harsh drug sentences filled prisons without reducing drug offending or recidivism. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 1945; Incarceration without treating addiction fails to deter repeat drug offending. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 1947 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• More punitive drug sanctions fail to deter subsequent drug offending #corroborates (0.97) — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 1078