VICTIM IMPACT PANELS - AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PROGRAM ON LOWERING RECIDIVISM AND CHANGING OFFENDERS ATTITUDES ABOUT DRINKING AND DRIVING

This study examines 103 Victim Impact Panel attendees and 75 compariso n group respondents who had been convicted of drunk driving offenses. A pre- and post-test measure developed by the author was administered to both groups to determine offender attitudes about drinking and driv ing. Results indicate a lower recidivism rate in VIP participants as o pposed to comparison group subjects and those receiving other sanction s as cited in the literature. 2-Way ANOVA and paired T-test analysis r evealed significant changes in attitudes regarding the VIP attendees i ntention to continue drinking and driving, the consideration of conseq uences and whether or not DUI/DWI should be considered a crime and rec idivism. These results did not hold true for the comparison group. The re were no demonstrated significant differences in attitudes toward th e fairness of DUI/DWI laws, the accidental nature of drunk driving off enses or the advisability of DWI education as an alternative sanction in either group.