Showing papers in "Criminal Justice and Behavior in 2001"
TL;DR: In this article, a meta-analysis was conducted to identify risk factors that best predict juvenile recidivism, defined as rearrest for offending of any kind, and three published studies, representing 15,265 juveniles, met inclusion criteria.
Abstract: A meta-analysis was conducted to identify risk factors that best predict juvenile recidivism, defined as rearrest for offending of any kind. Twenty-three published studies, representing 15,265 juveniles, met inclusion criteria. Effect sizes were calculated for 30 predictors of recidivism. Eight groups of predictors were compared: (a) demographic information, (b) offense history, (c) family and social factors, (d) educational factors, (e) intellectual and achievement scores, (f) substance use history, (g) clinical factors, and (h) formal risk assessment. The domain of offense history was the strongest predictor of reoffending. Other relatively strong predictors included family problems, ineffective use of leisure time, delinquent peers, conduct problems, and nonsevere pathology.
755 citations
TL;DR: The authors compared five actuarial instruments and one guided clinical instrument designed to assess risk for recidivism on 215 sex offenders released from prison for an average of 4.5 years, and found that the risk was higher for women than men.
Abstract: Five actuarial instruments and one guided clinical instrument designed to assess risk for recidivism were compared on 215 sex offenders released from prison for an average of 4.5 years. The Violenc...
427 citations
TL;DR: The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) has emerged as one of the most important factors in understanding and predicting adult criminal behavior, including sex offenders as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Psychopathy, as measured by the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), has emerged as one of the most important factors in understanding and predicting adult criminal behavior, including sex o...
354 citations
TL;DR: The predictive accuracy of the psychopathy checklist, the level of service inventory, HCR-20, violence risk assessment guide, and lifestyle criminality screening form were compared in a sample of male offenders as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The predictive accuracy of the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised, Level of Service Inventory– Revised, HCR-20, Violence Risk Appraisal Guide, and the Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form were compared in a sample of male offenders. Both correlations and receiver operating characteristics measured the relationship between the instruments and the predictive outcome criteria of institutional misconduct and release failure. Although some instruments performed better across the outcome measures, there were no statistical differences in predictive accuracy among the instruments.
267 citations
TL;DR: The authors summarizes the research evidence on crimes against children and adults with developmental disabilities and provides several conceptual models to explain their differential victimization risk, including routine activities theory, dependency-stress model, cultural stereotyping, and victim-learned compliance.
Abstract: Rates of violence and abuse perpetrated on people with developmental disabilities (e.g., mental retardation, autism) appear significantly higher than for people without these disabilities. Few of these crimes get reported to police, and even fewer are prosecuted because officials hesitate to pursue cases that rely onthe testimony of a personwith a developmental disability. The author offers several conceptual models to explain their differential victimization risk, including routine activities theory, dependency-stress model, cultural stereotyping, and victim-learned compliance. This article summarizes the research evidence on crimes against children and adults with developmental disabilities. It is divided into four sections. The first section describes the nature and extent of crimes against individuals with developmental disabilities. The second reviews the literature onrisk factors associated with their victimization. The third discusses the manner in which justice agencies respond to these crimes. Th...
175 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the characteristics of Dutch police work and the stressful aspects of this work are described and the levels of burnout of Dutch Police officers are assesed for Dutch police officers.
Abstract: This study addresses three issues. First, characteristics of Dutch police work and the stressful aspects of this work are described. Second, the levels of burnout of Dutch police officers are asses...
166 citations
TL;DR: Analyses indicated that the LSI-R is a valid (predictive) instrument for this sample of female offenders and that a history of prior abuse fails to add to the prediction of reincarceration, once risk is controlled for using the L SI-R.
Abstract: Over the last several decades, the use of risk/need assessments has had a great impact on correctional classification and treatment decisions. One instrument that is now being used by many correctional agencies in the United States is the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R). Criticisms of the LSI-R include failure to consider physical and sexual abuse as risk factors and failure to modify the instrument for the assessment of female offenders. Using a sample of 442 offenders (317 male and 125 female), this research investigates (a) the validity of the LSI-R for both females and males and (b) the relationship between childhood abuse, the LSI-R, and recidivism rates. Analyses indicated that the LSI-R is a valid (predictive) instrument for this sample of female offenders and that a history of prior abuse fails to add to the prediction of reincarceration, once risk is controlled for using the LSI-R. Implications for further research are discussed.
144 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, taxometric analyses were applied to items assessing antisociality in children, which were similar in content to several established measures of antisocial behavior in children: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Conduct Disorder; the Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version; and the Childhood and Adolescent Taxon Scale.
Abstract: It has recently been argued from studies of adults that chronically antisocial offenders constitute a discrete class of individuals. If this is true, it is likely that the class can be identified in childhood. Taxometric analyses were applied to items assessing antisociality in children. These items were similar in content to several established measures of antisocial behavior in children: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Conduct Disorder; the Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version; and the Childhood and Adolescent Taxon Scale. Participants were 1,111 school-age boys from a community sample of students. Taxometric analyses using each of the three measures of antisocial behavior yielded evidence of an underlying taxon. In addition, two other tests of consistency strengthened the conclusion that a taxon underlying serious antisocial behavior can be demonstrated in children.
139 citations
TL;DR: Extended OPC was found to be significantly associated with reduced arrest probability in a subgroup with a prior history of multiple hospitalizations combined with prior arrests and/or violent behavior, and reduction in risk of violent behavior was a significant mediating factor in the association between OPC and arrest.
Abstract: Involuntary outpatient commitment (OPC) is a promising but controversial legal intervention that may reduce criminal justice contact in persons with severe mental illness (SMI). This article examin...
129 citations
TL;DR: The strongest predictor is prior incarcerations, followed by age persons started committing crime, gang membership, age they started using alcohol/drugs, their MMPIpd scores, and chemical abuse score.
Abstract: This is a 2-year follow-up study of 414 adolescents, age 17 years, to determine what static and dynamic factors predict recidivism or entry into the correctional system for adults. The strongest predictor is prior incarcerations, followed by age persons started committing crime, gang membership, age they started using alcohol/drugs, their MMPIpd scores, and chemical abuse score. The denial and asocial subscales of the Jesness Inventory and all the subscales of the Carlson Psychological Inventory are significantly associated with recidivism. Implications of the study are discussed.
128 citations
TL;DR: This article evaluated an experimental training program at a Midwestern police academy and found that specialized training is effective in improving behavioral performance, but not cognitive or attitudinal outcomes, and highlighted the importance of behaviorally focused training and evaluation.
Abstract: This study evaluates an experimental training program at a Midwestern police academy. In Study 1, one class of police recruits participated in a typical training protocol, and two classes attended the experimental program. Outcomes were compared with quantitative measures and qualitative analysis of performance in a simulated sexual assault interview. In Study 2, outcomes were assessed (a) before the experimental program, (b) after classroom instruction but before a simulated interview, (c) after classroom instruction and a simulated interview, and (d) after classroom instruction and two simulated interviews. Results suggest that specialized training is effective in improving behavioral performance but not cognitive or attitudinal outcomes. The conclusions highlight the importance of behaviorally focused training and evaluation. Language: en
TL;DR: This paper examined the interrelationships and independent contributions of three major constructs associated with male criminal violence (neurodevelopmental insults, antisocial parenting, and psychopathy) using structural equation modeling.
Abstract: The authors examined the interrelationships and the independent contributions of three major constructs associated with male criminal violence (neurodevelopmental insults, antisocial parenting, and psychopathy) using structural equation modeling. Subjects were 868 violent offenders assessed or treated at a maximum security psychiatric hospital. Results indicated that neurodevelopmental insults and psychopathy are not interrelated but are both directly and independently related to criminal violence, and antisocial parenting is related to both neurodevelopmental insults and psychopathy but has no direct relationship to criminal violence. These results are not consistent with a view of psychopathy as a disorder but are consistent with the view of psychopathy as an evolved life history strategy. Criminal violence has at least two separate developmental pathways originating very early in life, one involving neurodevelopmental damage and one involving psychopathy.
TL;DR: This article found that African Americans were less likely to support capital punishment and police use of force than their white counterparts, and that regional prejudices affect minorities' perceptions of bias in criminal justice policy and practices.
Abstract: Logistic regression models were estimated using the 1994 General Social Survey to examine effects of race, gender, and geographical region on support for various criminal justice policies. Dependent variables included support for capital punishment, perceived harshness of courts, and support for police use of force under five conditions of escalating severity. African Americans were less likely to support capital punishment and police use of force than their counterparts. These results were enhanced when re-estimated using only the southern sample. Thus, regional prejudices affect minorities' perceptions of bias in criminal justice policy and practices. However, although African Americans were less likely to endorse police use of force in general, we found situationally specific instances in which African Americans did endorse police use of force.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the effectiveness of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) in predicting release outcome as compared to other well-established risk prediction measures.
Abstract: The goal of the present research was to examine the effectiveness of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) in predicting release outcome as compared to other well-established risk prediction measures. The SAQ is a self-report measure designed to predict offenders' postrelease out-come. The SAQ was administered along with four similar, but clinician-administered, measures to 68 federally sentenced Canadian male offenders prior to their release into the community. Data were collected for a 2-year follow-up period at six 4-month intervals. Outcome criteria measures were general recidivism, violent recidivism, and any failure (a composite measure recording failure on any of the following variables: negative parole reports, violation of parole conditions, incurring new charges, or a new conviction). Although the SAQ was the most economical of the comparable tools, results demonstrated that it was at least as effective as the four other measures in predicting postrelease outcome.
TL;DR: Analysis of data from Uniform Crime Reports and from rape crisis centers in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania suggested rates of sexual victimization were higher in rural counties than in urban counties, and whether the county is urban or rural is related to the amount of funding allocated to victim services programs.
Abstract: In this study, the authors analyzed data from Uniform Crime Reports and from rape crisis centers in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Although absolute numbers of sexual victimization cases reported to rape crisis centers were higher in urban counties, rates of sexual victimization were higher in rural counties, particularly those with above median proportions of female officeholders in the county. Subsequent analyses indicated this effect was not related to the provision of victim services but could be related to a better educated population being more likely to use such services. In terms of reporting to the police, urban counties and counties with higher levels of assaults by strangers had higher rates of reporting to the police, although these effects were somewhat qualified by an interaction of the two variables. Additional analyses suggest that whether the county is urban or rural is related to the amount of funding allocated to victim services programs.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the files of 95 suicide victims in jails and prisons in the Netherlands for reports of bullying and found that bullying and suicide risk are related and that a distinction should be made between mild and serious features of bullying.
Abstract: Relationships between bullying features and suicidal behavior of inmates were examined. The files of 95 suicide victims in jails and prisons in the Netherlands were examined for reports of bullying. In addition, 221 nonsuicidal jail inmates and 53 suicidal jail inmates were interviewed. The files of 34% of the suicide victims noted that the suicide victim had felt bullied. Bullying, especially serious bullying, was relatively often reported by suicidal inmates and by vulnerable inmates. Different types of bullies were associated with different forms of bullying and different degrees of suicide risk. Results suggest that bullying and suicide risk are related and that a distinction should be made between mild and serious features of bullying.
TL;DR: This paper found that cognitive ability, early involvement with alcohol, early age at first arrest, and the number of early arrests were all significant predictors of chronic criminal off-ending after ages 21, 25, and even after age 31.
Abstract: In this study, we evaluated a model of criminal offending that included the influences of family environment, cognitive ability, and early behavior problems. Analyses were conducted on a large sample of juvenile offenders (N = 4,146) who were committed to the California Youth Authority (CYA) in 1964 and 1965, with a 20-year follow-up of arrest data. Results suggest that an adverse family environment was related to the timing and frequency of juvenile delinquency Cognitive ability, early involvement with alcohol, early age at first arrest, and the number of early arrests were all significant predictors of chronic criminal off-ending after ages 21, 25, and even after age 31. The timing of first arrest was found to be one of the most important variables for the prediction of chronic criminal activity.
TL;DR: The disciplinary records of 39 Indiana death row inmates who were transferred to the general prison population following modification of their sentence from death to capital life between 1972 and 1999 were retrospectively reviewed.
Abstract: The disciplinary records of 39 Indiana death row inmates who were transferred to the general prison population following modification of their sentence from death to capital life between 1972 and 1...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined several neglected explanatory factors, including links between marital status, political orientation, and philosophy of punishment, and found that marital status and political orientation are consistently associated with support for adult sanctioning of youths when the offense involves any of three categories of offenses (selling illegal drugs, committing property crime, or committing violent crime).
Abstract: Despite recent “get tough” trends in juvenile justice, relatively little is known about support for sanctioning youths in adult courts. In response, this study examines several neglected explanatory factors, including links between marital status, political orientation, and philosophy of punishment. Analysis of data from the 1995 National Opinion Survey of Crime and Justice suggests that marital status and philosophy of punishment are consistently associated with support for adult sanctioning of youths when the offense involves any of three categories of offenses (selling illegal drugs, committing property crime, or committing violent crime). It also suggests that marital status conditions the effect of philosophy of punishment, an effect itself conditioned by political orientation when the offense involves selling illegal drugs. Research and policy implications are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined rates and predictors of deviance in a sample of Swiss youth, collected from 3,136 youth; 800 cases were identified as first-generation (35%) or second-g...
Abstract: The current investigation examined rates and predictors of deviance in a sample of Swiss youth. Data were collected from 3,136 youth; 800 cases were identified as first-generation (35%) or second-g...
TL;DR: Two studies compared the effectiveness of eyewitness testimony and physical evidence on mock-juror decision-making as mentioned in this paper, where participants were randomly assigned to read one of eight versions of the same trial.
Abstract: Two studies compared the effectiveness of eyewitness testimony and physical evidence on mock-juror decision making. Jury-eligible participants were randomly assigned to read one of eight versions o...
TL;DR: In this article, a specially prepared group program is described, drawing on this research, and short-term outcomes on intermediate treatment targets are presented for a sample of offenders (n = 220) who completed the program.
Abstract: Large-scale reviews of research on offender treatment have given clear indications that it is possible to reduce offender recidivism. Recently, a consensus has emerged concerning some of the features more likely to contribute to positive effects in this regard. One important consideration is that of focusing on criminogenic needs and employing methods designed to help offenders acquire cognitive problem-solving skills. In this article, a specially prepared group program is described, drawing on this research. The program has been run in probation service settings in the United Kingdom. In this preliminary report, short-term outcomes on intermediate treatment targets are presented for a sample of offenders (n = 220) who completed the program. Significant pretest to posttest changes were found on variables associated with criminogenic attitudes. The results demonstrate the viability of providing a structured group program for delivery on a significant scale within community-based correctional services.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used anger-hostility and social-sexual incompetence as features of psychopathology associated with pedophilia, exhibitionism, rape, and multiple paraphilia to distinguish between sex offenders and non-sex offenders and largely distinguish different types of sex offenders.
Abstract: A close examination of the literature on sexual offending suggests that offenders' problems can be divided into two broad-based constructs: anger-hostility and social-sexual incompetence. In this study involving 64 sex offenders and 33 property offenders, the authors used these constructs in investigating the general, common, and specific features of psychopathology associated with pedophilia, exhibitionism, rape, and multiple paraphilia. A specific approach in design and analysis was also adopted to overcome the methodological problems related to overlapping paraphilic diagnoses. The results indicated that these two constructs were able to distinguish between sex offenders and nonsex offenders and largely between different types of sex offenders. The implications of these results and the specific design and analysis approach are discussed, and ideas for future research are outlined.
TL;DR: This paper used data from the 1996 General Social Survey to examine how the race, class, and ethclass perspectives account for middle-class African Americans' support toward four policy-related dimensions of crime control.
Abstract: This study uses data from the 1996 General Social Survey to examine how the race, class, and ethclass perspectives account for middle-class African Americans' support toward four policyrelated dimensions of crime control. Findings vary across the dimensions and provide support for the race and ethclass perspectives. In particular, racial effects are pronounced across dimensions that involve daily contact with law enforcement agents and are muted by incumbency in a privileged class position across dimensions that do not involve daily contact with them. Overall, findings suggest the African American middle class is, in principle, at least as invested in crime control as White peers, but mistrust of its implementation explains lower levels of support than that of the White middle class. Implications concerning how the crime control issue constitutes a source of division across racial lines among the middle class are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered.
TL;DR: Comparisons of preprogram and postprogram behavior showed significant reductions in staff assaults, infractions, and use of expensive resources, as well as higher rates of work and school participation.
Abstract: An intermediate-care residential program for mentally ill male prison inmates in Washington provides medication monitoring, skills training, and a supportive milieu to help participants cope with l...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated latent HIV risk profiles using cluster analysis with 247 male felony drug offenders and found older age, troubled feelings over drug problems, memory and concentration difficulties, higher frequency of burglary charges, and physical abuse history were predictive of drug-related HIV risk.
Abstract: HIV risk profiles were investigated using cluster analysis with 247 male felony drug offenders. Two clusters were produced, distinguishable by high frequency of sex behaviors that were largely unprotected, or high frequency drug use. Exploratory analysis examining latent HIV predictors by risk type found older age, troubled feelings over drug problems, memory and concentration difficulties, higher frequency of burglary charges, and physical abuse history were predictive of drug-related HIV risk. Family problems, spending free time with family or friends, troubled feelings over medical problems, driving under the influence of drugs, anxiety, high risk-taking, polysubstance use, and using wages for drugs were predictive of sex-related HIV risk. Findings suggest intervention efforts for felony drug offenders need to address differential risk behaviors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted an exploratory maximum likelihood factor analysis to identify three factors, labeled Aggressiveness, Mating Success, and Antisociality, among male undergraduates and men from the local community.
Abstract: Male undergraduates and men from the local community completed questionnaires dealing with antisocial behavior, aggression, mating effort, and self-esteem. An exploratory maximum likelihood factor analysis revealed three factors, labeled Aggressiveness, Mating Success, and Antisociality. No clear mating effort factor emerged. Number of sexual partners and Preference for Partner Variety loaded on Mating Success, but age at first intercourse loaded on Antisociality. The only significant correlation among the factors was between Aggressiveness and Antisociality. Variables from each of the 3 factors discriminated between individuals scoring at the extreme ends of the Childhood and Adolescence Taxon Scale-Self Report, a measure containing items previously shown to identify a discrete class of antisocial offenders. Language: en
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the psychometric properties of a battery of scales and subscales used to measure Robert Johnson's mature coping construct, including Program Attitudes Scale, Coping Strategies Inventory, Social Problem Solving Inventory, Self-Esteem Inventory, a Depression Scale, and an Anti-Social Attitude Scale.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and validity) of a battery of scales and subscales used to measure Robert Johnson's mature coping construct. The battery of instruments includes a Program Attitudes Scale, a Coping Strategies Inventory, a Social Problem Solving Inventory, a Self-Esteem Inventory, a Depression Scale, and an Anti-Social Attitudes Scale. Statistical results demonstrating the factorial validity, internal consistency reliability, and the construct validity of each scale are presented. Furthermore, descriptive statistics for these scales are reported for the adult and juvenile boot camp samples at focus in this study. Keywords: Juvenile justice Language: en
TL;DR: Results indicated that recent experience as a runaway was common, especially among females and Caucasians, and detainees who had recently run away reported more psychosocial and behavioral problems than did those who had not recent run away.
Abstract: This study examined the occurrence of psychosocial and behavioral problems in relation to recent experience as a runaway among adolescents recruited from two youth detention centers. The sample included 176 males and 132 females who were interviewed approximately 30 days after being initially detained. Results indicated that recent experience as a runaway was common, especially among females and Caucasians. Moreover, detainees who had recently run away reported more psychosocial and behavioral problems than did those who had not recently run away. The implications of these findings are discussed.
TL;DR: The first in a series of nine upcoming issues that I have assigned to a group of well-known and very competent guest editors as mentioned in this paper presents a collection of articles that are clearly of vital concern and interest to correctional researchers and practitioners.
Abstract: This special issue, entitled Psychopathy and Risk Assessment, represents the first in a series of nine upcoming issues that I have assigned to a group of well-known and very competent guest editors. This issue, edited by Marnie E. Rice and Grant T. Harris, presents a collection of articles that are clearly of vital concern and interest to correctional researchers and practitioners. The highly heuristic article, “Criminal Violence: The Roles of Psychopathy, Neurodevelopmental Insults, and Antisocial Parenting,” by Harris, Rice, and Lalumière, views psychopathy not as a disorder but as an evolved life strategy. In other words, psychopaths are not only qualitatively distinct from other violent persons but also do not have neurodevelopmental defects, as often supposed. The provocative article, based on the psychosocial, psychiatric, medical, criminal, and demographic histories of 868 violent offenders, posits a two-path developmental model of criminal violence: one involving neurodevelopmental damage and the other involving psychopathy as an evolved life history strategy. The extremely clear and concise article, “Psychopathy and Recidivism in Adolescent Sex Offenders,” by Gretton, McBride, Hare, O’Shaughnessy, and Kumka, has far-reaching implications for the criminal justice system for dealing with psychopathy. As one of the earliest studies to examine the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV), it is a must-read for anyone with an interest in ado-