The same risk factors predict most types of recidivism

The same risk factors predict most types of recidivism PDF Version (207KB)

Research summary
Vol. 15 No. 4
July 2010

Question

Do the same risk factors apply to all types of offenders?

Background

Many decisions within the criminal justice system are based on the likelihood that the offender will return to crime. Considerable research has focussed on identifying offender recidivism risk factors, which include characteristics such as prior criminal history, lifestyle instability (unemployment, frequent moves), and negative peer associations.

It is not unusual for different types of  offenders to receive differential treatment within the criminal justice system. Offenders with mental health problems, for example, may be diverted from prison and mandated to receive treatment within the health systems. Distinct offender management policies have also been based on the type of the crimes committed. For example, sexual offenders are frequently directed toward specialized treatment programs, and are the only type of offender subject to registration requirements once their sentences have expired.

One assumption motivating different offender interventions is that offenders systematically differ in the nature of their risk factors and criminogenic needs. Criminogenic needs are characteristics that are capable of changing, and, when decreased, reduce the likelihood of reoffending (e.g., substance abuse). To date, the little research that does exist suggests that the same risk factors apply to different offender groups. Consequently, there is a need for a closer look at the extent to which there may be distinct risk factors for different types of offenders.

Method

The commonality in risk factors was examined by an examination of previously completed reviews. Specifically, comprehensive reviews have already identified the major risk factors for a) general recidivism among adult male offenders, b) violent recidivism among mentally disordered offenders, and c) sexual recidivism among sexual offenders. These reviews were all quantitative meta-analyses, which allow the size and direction of the effects to be directly compared across offender types.

Answer

The recidivism risk factors were similar for all three types of recidivism across the three types of offenders. General, violent, and sexual recidivism were associated with young age, prior criminal history, negative peer associations, substance abuse, and antisocial personality disorder.

There were, however, some differences for sexual recidivism. Offenders of minority race were at increased risk for general and violent recidivism, but not sexual recidivism. As well, deviant sexual interests was related to sexual recidivism among sexual offenders, but was unrelated to general recidivism.

Overall, however, the degree of consistency in the risk factors was striking. Even though mentally disordered offenders, sexual offenders and general adult offenders are treated differently by the corrections and health systems, they shared most of the same risk factors.

Policy implications

1. Risk assessment procedures designed for general offenders are likely to be broadly applicable across offender types.
2. The interventions that are effective for reducing recidivism among general offenders are likely to be effective across distinct subgroups. For mentally disordered offenders, for example,
   interventions targeting lifestyle instability and negative peer associations are more likely to reduce criminal recidivism than are interventions that focus solely on psychosis and personal distress.
   
3. Deviant sexual interests is a particular concern for the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. Not all sexual offenders would be expected to be interested in illegal or highly unusual sexual behaviour, but those offenders who do show such interests may require special interventions and management strategies.
   

Source

• Hanson, R. K. (2009). The psychological assessment of risk for crime and violence. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 50, 172-182.

For further information

R. Karl Hanson, Ph.D.
Corrections Research
Public Safety Canada
340 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P8
Tel (613) 991-2840
Fax (613) 990-8295
e-mail Karl.Hanson@ps-sp.gc.ca

Date modified:

2022-07-26