Robert A. Prentky

Recidivism Rates Among Child Molesters and Rapists: A Methodological Analysis

We address the high variability in sex offender recidivism rates by examining several of the critical methodological differences that underlie this variability. We used a dataset on 251 sex offenders (136 rapists and 115 child molesters) who were discharged over a 25-year period to examine changes in recidivism as a function of changes in dispositional definition of reoffense (e.g., arrest or conviction), changes in the domain of criminal offenses that are considered, and changes in the length of exposure time. The data indicate that: (a) both rapists and child molesters remain at risk to reoffend long after their discharge, in some cases 15–20 years after discharge; (b) there was a marked underestimation of recidivism when calculating a simple proportion (%) consisting of those who were known to have reoffended during the follow-up period, and (c) there was a marked underestimation of recidivism when the criterion was based on conviction or imprisonment. Forensic, clinical and policy implications of this high variability are discussed.

An actuarial procedure for assessing risk with juvenile sex offenders.

Assessments of juvenile sexual offenders that are intended to aid in dispositional decisions occur at a multitude of decision points within the juvenile justice system. Despite the ubiquity of decisions that include considerations of risk, relatively little empirical work has been done on the development and validation of a risk assessment procedure for these young offenders. In this article, we discuss our initial efforts in developing and validating an actuarial risk assessment protocol for juvenile sex offenders using a sample of 96 adolescents that had been admitted, treated, and discharged from the Joseph J. Peters Institute. We conclude with a critical discussion of problems associated with evaluating risk in this population, and of deficiencies and revision requirements in the present protocol.

Sexually Violent Predators in the Courtroom: Science on Trial

Adjudication of sexually violent predator commitment laws places demands on science. In the current article, the authors discuss the determination of mental abnormality and its reliance on medical nosological systems. Second, the authors examine the determination of current risk by reviewing three common concerns: (a) mechanistic estimations of risk, (b) mitigation of risk as a function of age, and (c) estimation of contemporaneous (dynamic) risk. The authors focus specifically on determinations of risk posed by the nexus of mental abnormality with prior history of sexually violent acts. Third, the article examines relevant, though sometimes nonstatutory, considerations, namely, the standards and the expectation for the treatment provided in high-security civil commitment programs. Potentially important dynamic or time-varying factors that may mitigate risk, such as offender age and treatment, are considered. Recommendations to promote good science and to avoid bad science are included with respect to determinations of mental abnormality, risk of reoffending, and treatment.

Factor Structure and Validation of the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol (J-SOAP)

The Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol (J-SOAP) was first developed in 1994 in response to the need for a structured method of assessing risk of recidivism among juvenile sexual offenders (R. A. Prentky, B. Harris, K. Frizzell, & S. Righthand, 2000). Over the ensuing years the scale has been subjected to a series of studies that have sought to examine its psychometric properties and its validity. The current paper reports on results from three of these studies, one of which looks at the factor structure of the items. The other two studies examine concurrent validity by looking at J-SOAP Scales 1 and 2 in relation to the Level of Service Inventory—Youth Version with: Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) (R. D. Hoge & D. A. Andrews, 1996) and other selected variables and discriminant validity by looking at the ability of J-SOAP scales to differentiate between juvenile sex offenders in the community and juvenile sex offenders in residential placement. The revision of the scale is discussed based on the research that has developed the scale and the research that has employed it.

Impulsivity in the Lifestyle and Criminal Behavior of Sexual Offenders

The present study examined three measures of impulsivity in samples of incarcerated rapists and child molesters. The focus of the investigation was the interrelation among these measures and the relation of these measures to juvenile and adult criminal behavior. The three measures correlated with different aspects of antisocial behavior, supporting the hypothesis that they tap different behavioral domains. The relative amount of planning and forethought manifested in the criminal act (the first measure) was unrelated to the other measures of impulsivity and covaried with sexual and aggressive motivational components of the offender. A general lifestyle of impulsive behavior as assessed by the MTC classification system (the second measure) was related to a general failure in the development of controls as reflected in preadolescent problems in mastery of lifes tasks. Transiency, as reflected in ratings of aimlessness and unstable employment history (the third measure), defined most clearly a subgroup of child molesters characterized by a schizoid lack of cathexis, withdrawal and a seclusive, eccentric style. The results of this study have clear substantive implications both about the nature of impulsivity and its measurements, and about the specific MTC taxonomic distinctions that focus on impulsivity.

Arousal Reduction in Sexual Offenders: A Review of Antiandrogen Interventions

The present review surveys the use of antiandrogen treatment to reduce sexual drive in men at risk for sexual offending. After briefly reviewing castration, the author traces the history of the use of medications to reduce sexual drive, focusing on the antiandrogens. Controversy surrounding their use and recent altematives are mentioned, with an emphasis on legal and ethical issues. One strong conclusion drawn is that antiandrogen medications should never be used as exclusive treatment for paraphilic and aggressive sexual behaviors.

Child Sexual Molestation

Over the past several decades, our awareness of the magnitude and the impact of sexual victimization has increased considerably. Sexual abuse has become an acute problem, manifested in ever increasing costs to society as well as to its victims. The costs incurred by society include medical and psychological services to aid victim recovery, the apprehension and disposition of offenders, and the invisible climate of fear that makes safety a paramount consideration in scheduling normal daily activities. In addition to the monetary costs associated with sexual abuse (Prentky & Burgess, 1990), the impact of such abuse on its victims has been well documented. Indeed, there is a large and growing literature on the proximal (short-term) and distal (long-term) effects of child sexual abuse (see Table 14.1).

Descriptive Study of Precursors to Sex Offending among 813 Boys and Girls: Antecedent Life Experiences

Abstract In order to understand the precursors to sexual offending among youth and the associated gender differences, the records of 813 sexually abusive children (659 boys and 154 girls) referred for an evaluation of their sexually inappropriate and coercive behavior were reviewed and coded. These children ranged in age from 3 to 18 when they committed their first hands-on offenses. All were under the care of the Massachusetts Department of Social Services either prior to or as a result of their behavior. Principle findings included: (1) a high proportion of girls (19 percent) in a sample of children flagged as sexually abusive to other children, (2) an exceptionally high base rate of severe maltreatment and associated clinical and psychiatric sequelae, and (3) girls were significantly more likely to be sexually abused, and when sexually abused the abuse lasted longer, was more severe, and involved more perpetrators. In addition, the girls were significantly more likely to witness domestic violence and to witness sexual deviance within the home. For all other types of abuse, there were no group differences, and (4) all of the children were subjected to a very high level of caregiver instability.

Linear Causal Modeling of Adaptation and Criminal History in Sexual Offenders

The etiological roots of aggression, and more specifically of delinquency and criminality, have been the focus of numerous retrospective and prospective, followup and longitudinal studies (e.g., Farrington, 1978; Glueck and Glueck, 1950; McCord, 1979; Robins, 1966). Although our knowledge of the causes and courses of criminal histories still remains rudimentary (Farrington, 1979), there have been major advances in the specification of the domain of variables that need to be considered in the creation of causal models. A host of variables have been found to covary with youthful aggression and delinquency, including: (a) social and economic variables like family income and size (Farrington, 1978); (b) specific family interaction and parental childrearing patterns like harshness of punishment and discipline, marital disharmony, lax discipline, poor supervision, and rejection (Bandura and Walters, 1959; Eron, Walder, Toigo and Lefkowitz, 1963; Farrington, 1978; Farrington and West, 1971; Glueck and Glueck, 1950; Lefkowitz, Eron, Walder and Huesmann, 1977; McCord, McCord and Howard, 1961; McCord, McCord and Zola, 1959; Quinton, Rutter and Rowlands, 1976; Wirt, Hampton and Seat 1972); (c) parental characteristics like criminality (Farrington, 1978; Glueck and Glueck, 1950; McCord and McCord, 1958); (d) subject characteristics like daring, low IQ, and poor school attainment, poor social skills and poor peer acceptance (Farrington, 1978; Janson, 1982; Roff, 1972; Wirt et al., 1972).

Can Sex Offender Classification Inform Typologies of Male Batterers? A Response to Holtzworth-Munroe and Meehan.

The general perception that the perpetrators and the victims of domestic violence are homogeneous (Follingstad, Laughlin, Polek, Rutledge, & Hause, 1991) was challenged in a series of empirical studies beginning in the mid-1980s. Hamberger and Hastings (1986) derived three subtypes (passivedependent, narcissistic-antisocial, schizoidal-borderline) from the factor analysis of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory on 105 men. Caesar (1986) compared male batterers who were in treatment with men who were nonviolent who were in treatment, using structured interview data. Caesar identified four subtypes that were described as (a) self-centered, hostile, and paranoid; (b) histrionic; (c) unassertive; and (4) psychotic. Saunders (1987) examined male batterers who were referred for treatment. Cluster analysis suggested three subtypes: (a) those men who were most violent, abused alcohol, and who were victims of abuse as children; (b) men who were characterized primarily by depression, jealousy, and anger; and (c) men who had moderate levels of depression and anger, occasionally abused alcohol, and tended to suppress or deny their problems. These latter men in group C were characterized as unassertive individuals who were likely to suppress their anger until the anger was disinhibited by alcohol or stress. Maiuro, Cahn, Vitaliano, Wagner, and Zegree (1988) compared male batterers with men who were assaultive who were not batterers, finding that the male batterers were much more likely to be clinically depressed. Shields, McCall, and Hanneke (1988) compared male batterers who were assaultive only within the family to male batterers who were also assaultive outside the family and men who were