Criminal Justice and Behavior

Publisher:: Sage Publications, Inc.
Publication date:: 2021-09-06

ISBN:: 0093-8548

Issue Number

Latest documents

Predicting Recidivism in a High-Risk Sample of Intimate Partner Violent Men Referred for Police Threat Assessment
It is unknown whether existing intimate partner violence (IPV) risk assessment tools can predict recidivism within threat assessment samples. We examined the predictive validity for IPV, any violent, and general recidivism of four commonly used IPV risk appraisal tools (Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment [ODARA], Spousal Assault Risk Assessment version 2 [SARA-V2], SARA version 3 [SARA-V3], and Brief Spousal Assault Form for the Evaluation of Risk [B-SAFER]) with 247 men charged with IPV and referred to a threat assessment service. Total scores of the ODARA and SARA-V2—but not SARA-V3 or B-SAFER—significantly predicted IPV recidivism and any violent recidivism. The SARA-V2 Criminal History subscale and the B-SAFER subscale of “Past” events—but no other subscales of the SARA-V2, B-SAFER, or SARA-V3—significantly predicted IPV recidivism. Although effect sizes were smaller than in past research, our results support the use of the ODARA and SARA-V2 with threat assessment IPV populations.
The Validity of the ODARA in Australian Intimate Partner Violence Cases Without Prior Assault/Credible Threat or Cohabitation
This study investigated whether the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) is effective in the assessment of risk in male intimate partner violence (IPV) cases that do not meet the inclusion criteria used in the ODARA’s development sample (presence of prior assault or threat by perpetrator and previous cohabitation with the victim). Australian police scored the ODARA in 275 IPV cases without one or both of these characteristics, with results contrasted to performance in 200 cases meeting both inclusion criteria. The ODARA demonstrated poor discriminant effect over time for both assault and abuse recurrence in the former group (concordance index [c-index] = 0.56 and c-index = 0.57, respectively), but performed well in the latter group (c-index = 0.69 and c-index = 0.69). Although subject to some significant methodological limitations and requiring replication, these findings suggest the ODARA may not provide accurate risk-based classification if applied to cases missing the inclusion criteria.
The Validity of the ODARA in Australian Intimate Partner Violence Cases Without Prior Assault/Credible Threat or Cohabitation
This study investigated whether the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) is effective in the assessment of risk in male intimate partner violence (IPV) cases that do not meet the inclusion criteria used in the ODARA’s development sample (presence of prior assault or threat by perpetrator and previous cohabitation with the victim). Australian police scored the ODARA in 275 IPV cases without one or both of these characteristics, with results contrasted to performance in 200 cases meeting both inclusion criteria. The ODARA demonstrated poor discriminant effect over time for both assault and abuse recurrence in the former group (concordance index [c-index] = 0.56 and c-index = 0.57, respectively), but performed well in the latter group (c-index = 0.69 and c-index = 0.69). Although subject to some significant methodological limitations and requiring replication, these findings suggest the ODARA may not provide accurate risk-based classification if applied to cases missing the inclusion criteria.
Gender Differences in the Empathy–Recidivism Relationship
A large body of criminological research often focuses on risk factors that propel individuals toward criminal activity rather than those that act as protective factors to reduce criminal involvement. In this study, we focus on a potentially important protective factor, empathy, which has long been considered an individual characteristic related to prosocial human behavior including non-offending. Specifically, we test the effects of empathy on juvenile recidivism and evaluate how empathy interacts with gender as a protective factor among a large sample of adjudicated youth followed for 1-year post-release from a residential treatment facility. Results show that empathy was associated with lower recidivism among the entire sample of youth, with a stronger protective effect against recidivism for justice-involved female youth. Findings contribute to the gendered literature on responses to crime and suggest empathy should be included in programming and interventions for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, particularly for females.
Gender Differences in the Empathy–Recidivism Relationship
A large body of criminological research often focuses on risk factors that propel individuals toward criminal activity rather than those that act as protective factors to reduce criminal involvement. In this study, we focus on a potentially important protective factor, empathy, which has long been considered an individual characteristic related to prosocial human behavior including non-offending. Specifically, we test the effects of empathy on juvenile recidivism and evaluate how empathy interacts with gender as a protective factor among a large sample of adjudicated youth followed for 1-year post-release from a residential treatment facility. Results show that empathy was associated with lower recidivism among the entire sample of youth, with a stronger protective effect against recidivism for justice-involved female youth. Findings contribute to the gendered literature on responses to crime and suggest empathy should be included in programming and interventions for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, particularly for females.
An Economic Analysis of Crime Costs Associated with Psychopathic Personality Disorder and Violence Risk
Given substantial national crime costs and that psychopathic personality disorder (PPD) is a robust predictor of recidivism, a research gap exists concerning the cost of crime attributable to adults with PPD. The current study employed a bottom-up cost of illness approach to estimate the association between PPD and crime costs among Canadian men incarcerated in the federal correctional system (n = 188). Participants were rated using the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) and the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management–20 (HCR-20, version 2). Group mean crime costs were highest for participants who scored highly on the PCL-R and were rated high risk on the HCR-20, and higher scores on both measures were associated with prospective costs accrued from violent and nonviolent recidivism. The findings highlight the need to improve the treatment and management of high-risk individuals with prominent psychopathic features, as it has the potential for significant financial savings for criminal justice systems.
Reconceptualizing Social Bonds for Emerging Adults
Social bond theory argues that weak bonds (e.g., relationships, values, activities) with society facilitate engagement in crime and deviance. As these bonds are strengthened, young people grow out of deviance and into prosocial adulthood roles. Social bond theory has four classic components: Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, and Belief. While these components are significant for adolescents and youth, research has yet to examine how social bonds function for young and emerging adults (ages 18–29). This article examines how emerging adults identify and define which social bonds are essential in their transition into prosocial adulthood. Life story interviews were conducted with emerging adults (n = 30), approximately half of whom have histories of justice system involvement. Themes from interviews inform a reconceptualization of social bond theory for emerging adults focusing on two key elements: (a) Attachment and (b) Commitment Through Involvement.
An Economic Analysis of Crime Costs Associated with Psychopathic Personality Disorder and Violence Risk
Given substantial national crime costs and that psychopathic personality disorder (PPD) is a robust predictor of recidivism, a research gap exists concerning the cost of crime attributable to adults with PPD. The current study employed a bottom-up cost of illness approach to estimate the association between PPD and crime costs among Canadian men incarcerated in the federal correctional system (n = 188). Participants were rated using the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) and the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management–20 (HCR-20, version 2). Group mean crime costs were highest for participants who scored highly on the PCL-R and were rated high risk on the HCR-20, and higher scores on both measures were associated with prospective costs accrued from violent and nonviolent recidivism. The findings highlight the need to improve the treatment and management of high-risk individuals with prominent psychopathic features, as it has the potential for significant financial savings for criminal justice systems.
Reconceptualizing Social Bonds for Emerging Adults
Social bond theory argues that weak bonds (e.g., relationships, values, activities) with society facilitate engagement in crime and deviance. As these bonds are strengthened, young people grow out of deviance and into prosocial adulthood roles. Social bond theory has four classic components: Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, and Belief. While these components are significant for adolescents and youth, research has yet to examine how social bonds function for young and emerging adults (ages 18–29). This article examines how emerging adults identify and define which social bonds are essential in their transition into prosocial adulthood. Life story interviews were conducted with emerging adults (n = 30), approximately half of whom have histories of justice system involvement. Themes from interviews inform a reconceptualization of social bond theory for emerging adults focusing on two key elements: (a) Attachment and (b) Commitment Through Involvement.
Escalation of Suicidal Spectrum Behaviors During Incarceration
Rates of multiple episodes of suicide spectrum behaviors are higher among incarcerated individuals than community members. Understanding the trajectory of multiple episodes of suicide spectrum behavior is important for assessment of risk and precautionary measures. We examined escalation in terms of frequency and method among 204 incarcerated individuals who engaged in multiple episodes of serious self-harm. Among those who did not die (n = 191), the interval between suicide spectrum behaviors decreased across incidents and incidents became potentially more lethal over time. Findings indicate that clinicians relying solely on intent to assess seriousness of self-harming behavior might overlook escalation risk. To effectively prevent fatal incidents, clinicians and correctional staff working with incarcerated individuals should incorporate behavioral measures (e.g., time between incidents and method used) and trend these measures over time.