Risk Assessment and Violent Recidivism Risk Management in Convicts from Argentina

• Pages: 75-88
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-1152(05)12004-3
• Date: 08 August 2005
• Published date: 08 August 2005
• Author: Jorge O. Folino

RISK ASSESSMENT AND VIOLENT

RECIDIVISM RISK MANAGEMENT

IN CONVICTS FROM ARGENTINA

Jorge O. Folino

ABSTRACT

In the year 2001, the Risk Assessment Pilot Program was implemented in

Argentina with the aims of establishing a systematic manner of assessing

risk for violent recidivism in conditional release candidates and contrib-

uting to the design of intervention programs that help to reduce the

criminal recidivism rate. The baseline assessment showed that conditional

release candidates had a high-risk profile: 72.5% had severe or moderate

substance abuse problems; 62% had failed in previous probation, condi-

tional release or discharge from a mental institution; 85% had serious or

moderate employment problems before incarceration. Individuals who

were substance abusers were incorporated to the Drug Abuse Biochemical

Control Program. Variations in dynamic factors were assessed with con-

ditionally released subjects. Some encouraging results were obtained

through December 2003 and their initial impact on judicial and peniten-

tiary institutions is already seen.

The Organizational Response to Persons with Mental Illness Involved with the Criminal Justice

System

Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, Volume 12, 75–88

Copyright r2005 by Elsevier Ltd.

All rights of reproduction in any form reserved

ISSN: 0196-1152/doi:10.1016/S0196-1152(05)12004-3

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