Ruth J. Tully

A systematic review on the effectiveness of sex offender risk assessment tools in predicting sexual recidivism of adult male sex offenders.

PURPOSE This study aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of risk assessment tools in predicting sexual recidivism of adult male offenders. BACKGROUND Sex offender risk assessment aids risk management within the criminal justice system. Some tools follow an actuarial approach and some adopt structured professional judgement. There has not been a systematic review evaluating and comparing the effectiveness of those tools and appraising the overall quality of the primary research. METHODS Six electronic databases and reference lists of relevant meta-analyses were searched. Three experts were contacted to obtain relevant studies. Inclusion criteria were applied to the identified references and the included studies were quality assessed, using pre-defined criteria, prior to data extraction and synthesis. RESULTS Electronic search yielded 4949 hits. Of these, 1419 duplicates, 1 meta-analysis and 3382 irrelevant hits were excluded. 14 publications identified from previous meta-analyses were included. 2 non-English language duplications of publications were excluded. 89 publications that did not meet inclusion criteria and 15 inaccessible publications were excluded. 11 studies that did not meet minimum threshold criteria and 1 study that re-analysed an already included sample were then excluded, leaving 43 publications containing 43 studies. CONCLUSIONS All included tools demonstrated at least moderate predictive accuracy, with two reporting a large effect size (VRS-SO and SRA), although these two came under much less empirical scrutiny than the others and may have been the subject of developer bias in the research that is available. The VRS-SO was found to have the highest mean quality score, this again being limited by the number of studies and developer bias. The quality of the primary research is variable. More independent high quality research is needed, particularly on structured professional judgement incorporating dynamic risk factors.

The Use of the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory–II With Forensic Populations A Psychometric Critique

The State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory–II (STAXI-II) is a psychometric assessment that measures the experience, expression, and control of anger in research and clinical settings. Although the STAXI-II is extensively used and its psychometric properties supported, no psychometric critique has yet specifically assessed its utility with forensic populations. The aim of this critique was to explore the validity and reliability of the STAXI-II when used with forensic samples. It was found that the psychometric properties of the STAXI-II, when used with forensic populations, are satisfactory. However, gaps in research and issues that need to be addressed in practice have been highlighted. Although STAXI-II provides a comprehensive measure of anger, it does not capture all aspects of the construct. In addition, the tool does not contain an inherent validity scale, indicating the need to control for social desirability responding when administering the STAXI-II. Practical implications, limitations, and future research will be discussed.

Appraising the Risk Matrix 2000 Static Sex Offender Risk Assessment Tool

This critical appraisal explores the reliability and validity of the Risk Matrix 2000 static sex offender risk assessment tool that is widely used in the United Kingdom. The Risk Matrix 2000 has to some extent been empirically validated for use with adult male sex offenders; however, this review highlights that further research into the validity of this static tool with sex offender subgroups or types is necessary in order to improve practical utility. The Risk Matrix 2000 relies on static risk predictors, thus it is limited in scope. This article argues that the addition of dynamic items that have been shown to be predictive of sexual recidivism would further enhance the tool. The paper argues that adding dynamic risk items would fit better with a rehabilitative approach to sex offender risk management and assessment. This would also provide a means by which to effectively plan sex offender treatment and evaluate individual offenders’ progress in treatment; however, difficulties remain in identifying and assessing dynamic risk factors of sexual offending and so further research is required.

An Examination of the Predictive Validity of the Structured Assessment of Risk and Need–Treatment Needs Analysis (SARN-TNA) in England and Wales:

The Structured Assessment of Risk and Need–Treatment Needs Analysis (SARN-TNA) is routinely used by the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) in England and Wales to aid assessment of risk of sexual offenders. This structured professional judgment tool’s predictive validity was examined with convicted sexual offenders in this field study. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) was not significant at 2 years (Area Under the Curve [AUC] = 0.59, n = 304, p = .193) or at 4 years (AUC = 0.57, n = 161, p = .242). Survival analysis did not reveal significantly different sexual reconviction rates between SARN-TNA risk groups. Individual domains were also examined, with the sexual interests domain being the only predictive element of the SARN-TNA risk assessment tool. Results support further examination of how SARN-TNA risk group is calculated and more heavily weighting the importance of the sexual interests domain. The SARN-TNA should not be relied upon as a predictor scale of sexual reoffending.

Adapted DBT programme for individuals with intellectual disabilities and problems managing emotions: staff awareness training

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the development and evaluation of an original training package for staff members on an awareness of an adapted Dialectical behaviour Therapy programme, the ‘I Can Feel Good’ programme (Morrissey & Ingamells, 2014) designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities and problems managing emotions. The quality and effectiveness of the training was assessed and is reported in this paper. Design/methodology/approach The training was delivered for staff working with individuals with intellectual disabilities in a UK Medium Secure Psychiatric Hospital and was attended by nursing staff. The workshop consisted of six modules: ‘Introduction to the programme’, ‘Mindfulness’, ‘Managing feelings’, ‘Coping in crisis’, ‘People skills’ and ‘Application and summary’. Level of self-reported knowledge, confidence and motivation regarding seven aspects of the training was measured by an evaluation questionnaire completed pre and post training. Findings The results of this study showed that following the training there was a significant increase in self-reported knowledge, confidence and motivation regarding the seven aspects of the training. When perceptions of staff behaviours are observed, although in the right direction, this change was found not to be significant. Originality/value This study highlights the potential for staff training to increase awareness of newly adapted therapeutic programmes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The staff training may increase their ability and willingness to facilitate the running of such programmes and ability to support learning transfer in group members.

The differences between sex offenders who victimise older women and sex offenders who offend against children

ABSTRACT Objectives: Within the literature on sex offending, much attention is paid to the distinction between those sex offenders who offend against adults and those who offend against children. In contrast, there is a paucity of research into sex offenders who offend specifically against elderly or older victims. Method: A detailed interview and psychometric tests were conducted with a sample of 28 sex offenders who had been convicted of a sexually motivated offence against an older female. These data were compared to a sample of 23 child sex offenders. Results: Results indicate that amongst other significant differences between these sub-groups, men who offend against older women are generally younger, are more violent, and are more likely to use a weapon and cause injury and death compared to child sex offenders. The men who offended against children were more likely to think about and plan their offending, spend more time with the victim pre and post offence, admit sexual arousal during the offence, and admit to a sexual motivation for the offence. Conclusions: This study suggests that men who sexually offend against older women and men who sexually offend against children are distinct groups. Treatment and risk management strategies should take this into account. Further exploration of this sub-group of offenders is recommended to help inform treatment and risk management strategies for sex offenders who offend against older people.

Volunteering with sex offenders: the attitudes of volunteers toward sex offenders, their treatment and rehabilitation

The general public has been shown to hold negative attitudes toward sexual offenders, sex offender treatment, and the rehabilitation of sexual offenders. It appears pertinent to the success of sex offender management strategies that utilise volunteers that selected volunteers do not share these attitudes. Here, volunteers for Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), a community-based initiative supporting the reintegration of sex offenders, completed three validated psychometric measures assessing attitudes toward sex offenders in general and toward their treatment and rehabilitation. Responses were compared with a U.K. general public sample. The results showed that volunteers held more positive attitudes toward sex offenders, sex offender treatment, and sex offender rehabilitation than the U.K. general public sample. The significance of these findings is discussed alongside directions for future research.

A Case Study Demonstrating the Effectiveness of an Adapted-DBT Program Upon Increasing Adaptive Emotion Management Skills, With an Individual Diagnosed With Mild Learning Disability and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of an adapted-DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) program upon adaptive emotion management is reviewed. This case study focuses upon a male forensic inpatient diagnosed with mild learning disabilities and emotionally unstable personality disorder who presented with behavioral difficulties including self-harm and aggression. Following development of a psychological formulation, informed by an initial psychological assessment process, the client was referred for the “I Can Feel Good” program (Ingamells & Morrissey, 2014), which is designed to reduce difficulties managing emotions and resulting problematic behaviors. This was in addition to supplementary individual sessions designed to support and reinforce skills developed within the group. The effectiveness of this intervention was assessed using a combination of approaches including a range of self- and staff-report psychometrics and observational data. Findings demonstrated an effect upon some secondary treatment targets (namely an increase in use of mindfulness techniques and adaptive coping strategies) but no overall reduction of the primary treatment target of emotional management or associated emotional and psychological problems. Reflection upon the initial formulation in light of findings is discussed. Methodological difficulties and issues of evaluation are reviewed. Future adaptation of the “I Can Feel Good” program is considered.

Psychometric Properties in Forensic Application of the Screening Version of the Psychopathy Checklist

The Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL: SV) is a short form of the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R), an expert-rated assessment that measures psychopathic personality traits in research, clinical, and community settings. The PCL-R is an extensively relied upon tool in psycho-legal contexts. The screening version is also widely used; however, it has received far less empirical attention than the PCL-R. This review examines the psychometric properties of the PCL: SV, specifically in relation to forensic samples, and evaluates its comparability with the full PCL-R. Previously reported similarity in the reliability and validity of the PCL: SV as established for the PCL-R was supported through further testing in forensic samples. However, limitations in terms of available normative data are highlighted, and the review engages with wider debate concerning the measurement of psychopathy.

A Systematic Review Exploring the Quality and Effectiveness of Tools Currently Utilized to Measure Attitudes Toward Prisoner Populations: Exploring Reliability and Validity

ABSTRACT It has been suggested that attitudes toward offender populations can impact upon a range of factors associated with prisoner care, reform, and rehabilitation. This study aims to systematically review the instruments developed and utilized to explore attitudes toward incarcerated offender populations in terms of their focus and psychometric properties. The ultimate aim is to highlight clinical practice implications associated with this area. Seven electronic databases and reference lists of relevant publications were searched. Inclusion criteria were applied to the identified publications. Included studies were quality assessed by two independent assessors using predefined quality assessment criteria prior to data extraction. Emphasis was placed upon measures of internal structure, reliability (internal consistency, test–retest and split-half) and validity (construct; convergent and divergent, and content). An electronic search yielded 534 hits. Of these, 483 were irrelevant, and 15 duplicate publications were excluded. Thirty two publications which did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. Following a hand search three publications were added. A total of seven publications were reviewed and three instruments were identified. The three instruments identified as exploring attitudes toward prisoner (ATP) populations varied in terms of study quality and psychometric properties. There was evidence of one commonly used, relatively robust tool (ATP; Melvin, Gramling, & Gardener, 1985). Despite this, the lack of other reliable and valid instruments designed to assess this population as a whole is highlighted here, in addition to specific subpopulations thought to be most at risk. This has implications regarding our ability to accurately measure, monitor, and subsequently improve ATP populations.