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Risk assessment of sex offenders: the current position in the UK
Author(s) -
MandevilleNorden Rebecca,
Beech Anthony R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
child abuse review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1099-0852
pISSN - 0952-9136
DOI - 10.1002/car.944
Subject(s) - recidivism , prison , risk assessment , psychology , strengths and weaknesses , relevance (law) , criminology , sex offender , applied psychology , actuarial science , risk analysis (engineering) , social psychology , medicine , political science , computer security , law , computer science , business
Abstract This paper examines the various risk factors that are considered in the current risk assessments used with sex offenders, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. In addition, particular attention is given to the assessments that are currently employed within the prison and probation services. Static instruments, dynamic instruments and combined approaches are evaluated, as are clinical assessments of risk. In particular, the now commonly used joint Prison‐Probation Offender Assessment System risk prediction instrument (OASys) is considered, with an evaluation of the relevance of the factors included in making an assessment of risk and whether this is supported by research into recidivism amongst sex offenders. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.