Assessment Tools and Community Supervision of Sexual Offenders Robin J. Wilson, PhD, ABPP Chris Thomson, M.A.

STATIC-99 Sexual Reconviction Rates

Actuarial Scales Strengths Valid risk factors Explicit rules for combining factors Explicit probability estimates Robust across settings & samples Easily scored

Actuarial Scales Weaknesses Only moderate predictive accuracy We always want to do better! Coding rules are confusing You need to pay attention to rules Neglects important factors Sexual Deviance (Phallometrics) All Dynamic Factors

Will the change endure? Exceptional circumstances? Major life change? Opportunity? External pressure? Quality of evidence New base line?

Return to Base Line

New Base Line

Stable-2007 Items Significant Social Influences Capacity for Relationship Stability Emotional ID with Children (Only score this item for offenders with victims age 13 or younger) Hostility toward women General Social Rejection Lack of concern for others Impulsive Poor Problem Solving Skills Negative Emotionality Sex Drive Sex Preoccupation Sex as Coping Deviant Sexual Preference Co-operation with Supervision

Acute Factors  Victim Access  Sexual Preoccupations  Hostility  Rejection of Supervision  Emotional Collapse  Collapse of Social Supports  Substance Abuse

Keys to Effective Treatment and Risk Management We need to pay attention to RNR principles: RISK  interventions should be appropriate to level of RISK NEEDS  interventions must target criminogenic NEEDS RESPONSIVITY  interventions must consider RESPONSIVITY concerns Research has suggested that programs which appropriately address these principles can help to reduce risk for recidivism.

12 COMMUNITY SUPERVISION SUGGESTIONS

13 KNOW YOUR CLIENT’S SEXUAL OFFENSE HISTORY THE AGE RANGE AND NUMBER OF PAST VICTIMS THE GENDER OF PAST VICTIMS THE MODUS OPERANDI USED TO ENGAGE PAST VICTIMS THE SET-UPS OF PRECURSORS TO HIS SEX CRIMES THE TYPES OF DEVIANT SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR HE HAS ENGAGED IN THE HIGH RISK SITUATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HIS SEX CRIMES

14 THE CLIENT HAS A RESPONSIBLE LIFESTYLE SUPERVISOR REINFORCES PRO-SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND ACTIVITIES HE EXPRESSES HIS SEXUALITY APPROPRIATELY HE HAS A GOOD SUPPORT NETWORK HE CAN IDENTIFY HIS EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS AND EXPRESS HIS FEELINGS IN PRO-SOCIAL WAYS HE CAN IDENTIFY AND AVOID HIS HIGH RISK SITUATIONS IF HE HAS A LAPSE, HE WILL TELL SOMEONE MODERATING FACTORS CLIENT SUPERVISION

15 THREE MAJOR WARNING SIGNS YOUR CLIENT IS AT INCREASED RISK TO REOFFEND

16 HE HAS RECENT NEGATIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES HE BEGINS TO DEMONSTRATE PATTERNS THAT WERE PRESENT DURING OFFENSE CYCLE HE BEGINS TO ENTER HIGH RISK SITUATIONS

17 SEVEN SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES TO HELP MONITOR & SUPERVISE YOUR CLIENT GO OVER HIS SELF MANAGEMENT PLANS AND GOALS AT EACH PROBATIONARY MEETING REINFORCE PRO SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND ATTITUDES ALLOW HIM TO SPEAK FREELY BE SPECIFIC WHEN QUESTIONING HIM

18 MAKE USE OF COLLATERAL NETWORK, PARTICULARLY TREATMENT PROVIDER IF STILL IN TREATMENT TAKE GOOD CASE NOTES IF DRUGS/ALCOHOL WERE FACTORS IN OFFENSE, CHECK TO SEE PRESENT USE

Contact Information Robin J. Wilson, PhD, ABPP Wilson & Associates Clinical and Forensic Psychology Chris Thomson, M.ED. Justice Institute of British Columbia Corrections and Community Justice Division