Urine Testing Among Three States Among Three Groups of Offenders.

This study examines the effect of urine testing on performance during community supervision of offenders who have completed a shock incarceration program and two comparison groups. The two separate models examined the effect of drug testing on performance during community supervision and the effect of a positive drug test on performance during community supervision. Data studied came from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Urine testing had a limited deterrent effect, as measured by re-arrest, in Florida. A large percentage of drug users may have been able to avoid detection. Positive drug tests failed to be significant predictors of later arrest, revocation, or absconding while on parole. The lack of significant findings may be do to poorly administered testing programs, as opposed to, the ineffectiveness of any testing program.