Leigh Harkins

Actuarial assessment of risk for reoffense among adult sex offenders: evaluating the predictive accuracy of the Static-2002 and five other instruments

This study extended previous research comparing a set of widely employed actuarial risk assessment schemes as well as a new instrument, the Static-2002, in a sample of 468 sex offenders followed for an average of 5.9 years. All of the risk assessment instruments (Violence Risk Appraisal Guide [VRAG], Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide [SORAG], Rapid Risk Assessment for Sex Offense Recidivism [RRASOR], Static-99, Static-2002, and Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool-Revised [MnSOST-R]) were found to predict the recidivism outcomes for which they were designed. Although significant, indices of accuracy were generally lower than those reported by the developers of these instruments, even under conditions that have been shown to optimize predictive performance. For serious recidivism, the predictive accuracy of the Static-2002 and SORAG was significantly superior to that of the RRASOR, and the SORAG was significantly superior to the MnSOST-R as well. There were no significant differences among instruments in accuracy of predicting sexual recidivism.

Denial and minimization among sexual offenders: posttreatment presentation and association with sexual recidivism

The relationship between sexual recidivism and posttreatment denial and minimization was examined among 436 sex offenders followed up for an average period of more than 5 years. Treatment completion status and psychopathic traits, both established predictors of sexual recidivism also associated with denial and minimization, were included in survival analyses to remove their confounding influence on the focal relationships. The potential role of actuarial risk as a moderating variable was also investigated. A dichotomous variable reflecting denial and minimization failed to predict sexual recidivism. However, among a subset of 102 sex offenders who received no additional treatment after completing an initial program, the interaction between actuarial risk and scores on a continuous measure of minimization predicted sexual recidivism. Implications for assessment, particularly the need to move beyond dichotomous operationalizations of denial and minimization, and treatment were discussed.

Evaluation of a Community-Based Sex Offender Treatment Program Using a Good Lives Model Approach

In this study the authors assessed a Good Lives model (GLM) approach to sex offender treatment and compare it to a standard Relapse Prevention program. The comparisons examined (a) attrition rates, (b) treatment change in areas targeted in treatment and achievement of a posttreatment treated profile, and (c) views of offenders and facilitators. There were no differences in the attrition rates or the rates of treatment change between the two programs, indicating that they were equally effective at retaining participants and achieving change on areas targeted within treatment. Both facilitators and program participants reported the Good Lives approach module’s impact in a positive, future-focused manner. In contrast, those who attended the Relapse Prevention module did not report their perceptions and motivations in a manner that was focused on the positives in their future as frequently as those who attended the module with the Good Lives model approach.

Reliability and Validity of the Static-2002 Among Adult Sexual Offenders With Reference to Treatment Status

Psychometric properties were reported for the Static-2002 using a sample of 464 sexual offenders followed for an average of 5.9 years after release. Correlations between theoretically relevant variables (using indices of lifestyle instability, sexual deviance, psychopathy) and the Static-2002 content area subscales reflected the conceptual emphasis underlying the content areas. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor solution generally congruent with the conceptual structure of the Static-2002. Survival analyses indicated not all of the content areas had incremental validity in the prediction of either sexual or any violent recidivism. Moderate-to-high levels of predictive accuracy for total score were achieved for treatment completers, dropouts, and refusers across four recidivism outcomes. Three risk categories were identified with significantly different rates of both sexual and any violent recidivism; failure rates and likelihood ratios for these risk categories over 5-, 7-, and 10-year follow-up periods were reported.

Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevalence, Process, and Offender Characteristics

This review provides an overview of current knowledge and understanding of the process of sexual grooming and exploitation of children via the Internet. Specifically, the prevalence of online sexual grooming and exploitation is explored as well as associated challenges relating to the identification of its occurrence. This is complemented by a detailed outline and discussion of the process, both online and in the physical world, and legal responses to this phenomenon. A number of factors are examined to provide an explanation of the facilitating and contributing role they may play in offense processes online. Finally, current typologies are discussed in relation to characteristics of Internet offenders in general and “groomers”/chat room offenders specifically. This review concludes by offering suggestions for future research.

Examining the Influence of Denial, Motivation, and Risk on Sexual Recidivism

This study examined the relationship between denial, motivation, static risk (Risk Matrix 2000), and sexual recidivism. Denial was measured in three ways: A Denial Index (resulting from the combination of several measures of different aspects of denial), Absolute Denial, and Denial of Risk. Motivation for treatment was also examined. Logistic regression analyses in a sample of 180 sex offenders using a fixed 10-year follow-up found that risk moderated the relationships between the Denial Index, Absolute Denial, and sexual recidivism. In particular, among high-risk offenders, denial predicted decreased sexual recidivism. An opposite pattern was observed for the low-risk offenders who were in denial, although these differences were not significant. In terms of Denial of Risk, those who were denying they presented a future risk for offending (i.e., higher on Denial of Risk) were less likely to reoffend than those who reported seeing themselves as presenting a high risk. Motivation for treatment was positively correlated with recidivism, but the effect disappeared once static risk was controlled.

General and victim-specific empathy: associations with actuarial risk, treatment outcome, and sexual recidivism.

An empathy-related component has been included in most sex offender treatment programs since the 1980s; however, research linking empathy to sexual offending and/or to treatment outcome has produced mixed findings. This study examined the relationship between victim specific empathy, general empathy, and overall treatment change (determined by responses on a battery of psychometric tests) with static risk (Risk Matrix 2000 [RM 2000]) and sexual offense reconviction data in a sample of 105 offenders who completed treatment while in prison or in the community in England and Wales and followed up for an average period of more than 10 years. Victim-specific empathy improved from pretreatment to posttreatment and related to overall treatment change. A small group of offenders, whose victim empathy scores deteriorated from pretreatment to posttreatment, had higher rates of sexual recidivism compared with the rest of the sample. In contrast, neither were any reliable pretreatment to posttreatment changes noted on general empathy scores, except for an indication on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index Personal Distress Scale, nor was any relationship found to sexual recidivism. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to treatment goals and sexual recidivism.

Recidivism among treated sexual offenders and comparison subjects: Recent outcome data from the Regional Treatment Centre (Ontario) high-intensity Sex Offender Treatment Programme

Abstract The present investigation examined a sample of 64 offenders treated at the Regional Treatment Centre (Ontario) Sex Offender Treatment Programme (RTCSOTP) and a sample of 55 untreated sexual offenders from the Ontario region of Correctional Service of Canada. Groups were matched on age at index offence, Hare Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) score and type of sexual offender (i.e. intrafamilial child molester, extrafamilial child molester and rapist). As well, the Rapid Risk Assessment of Sexual Offence Recidivism Scale (RRASOR) was scored on all offenders in the present investigation. Recidivism, based upon officially recorded conviction data, was used as the primary dependent measure. Results indicated that both treated offenders and comparison participants evidenced low sexual recidivism rates (approximately 10% over follow-up periods that extended beyond nine years for both treated and comparison offenders). With reference to high PCL-R treated and comparison offenders, both groups evidenced rates of sexual recidivism approaching zero (one offender in each group recidivated sexually). These data have important implications for those who view treatment with high PCL-R offenders as without hope for success. Both treated and untreated comparison offenders received a wide variety of non-sexual offender programmes directed at criminogenic need areas. Treated offenders who were rated as being higher risk on the RRASOR evidenced substantially lower than predicted rates of sexual offending.

Leadership in Multiple Perpetrator Stranger Rape

Sexual offences by multiple perpetrators are more violent and involve more severe forms of sexual violation than those perpetrated by a lone offender. Often a clear leader exists within these groups. Questions have been raised as to the relative risk of reoffending and the potentially differing criminogenic needs of leaders and followers. However, a recent study comparing leaders and followers in juvenile multiple perpetrator rapes (t’Hart-Kerkhoffs et al., 2011) failed to find some of the expected differences. It was proposed that this might be due, in part, to the way leaders and followers were cclassified in the study. Before work can progress in this area, it is important to devise reliable and valid means of identifying leaders and followers in multiple perpetrator rape. This article reports on a study which investigated the utility of two different methods of identifying leadership. The Scale of Influence (Porter & Alison, 2001) was applied to a sample of 256 offenders responsible for 95 multiple perpetrator rapes from the United Kingdom. Following this, the relative number of directives uttered by offenders was used to designate leadership. In 66% of the offences sampled, a leader was designated using the number of directives uttered compared with 80% when using the Scale of Influence. When combining both measures to form a composite measure of leadership, this percentage increased to 89%. Classifications of offenders as leaders, followers, and neither, according to the Scale of Influence, the count of directives, and the composite measure, were compared with classifications made by a practitioner to assess their concordance. The composite measure showed the greatest agreement with practitioner opinion. These findings suggest that the Scale of Influence could be developed to take account of other ways that leadership is displayed during multiple perpetrator rapes.

Investigating changes in anger and aggression in offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits attending the Chromis violence reduction programme

BACKGROUND Chromis was accredited by the Correction Services Accreditation Panel in 2005 as an intervention designed to reduce violence in offenders whose level or combination of psychopathic traits disrupts their ability to engage in treatment and change. It runs as part of the regime in the dangerous and severe personality disorder unit in HM Prison Frankland (Westgate). A multiple case study investigation into changes over time in participants is currently underway, part of which is reported here. AIMS This paper reports on information relating to changes in anger and aggression in Chromis completers. METHODS Change in psychometrics and observed incidents of verbal and physical aggression are considered for five case study participants who have completed Chromis and progressed from Westgate to a different location. RESULTS Findings suggest that cases experienced a reduction in self-reported anger, and expected incidents of physical aggression but had higher than expected levels of verbal aggression after leaving Westgate. CONCLUSIONS These findings offer cautious optimism for the effectiveness of Chromis, although methodological limitations must also be considered. Findings may be seen as positive indicators of Chromis, or at least the approach to working with these offenders across Westgate, in reducing violence. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Findings support the continued delivery and evaluation of Chromis. There may be benefit in exploring ways to further understand and address verbal aggression in participants.