International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

This article studies the effects of local dependence within the items of the first section of the LS/CMI on its reliability. Analysis were done to identify the dependent items namely through their correlations before and after Rasch modeling. Seven items were thus discarded, deemed dependent and redundant, and Cronbach’s alpha was calculated with all 43 items and then with the 36 items deemed independent. Test information and predictive validity were also compared. Removing the seven redundant items did not seem to have major effects on the reliability of the LS/CMI or the psychometric information it provided, and no tangible effects were observed on its predictive validity. The reliability of an instrument should be assessed with items that contribute each in its own way. However, it is hazardous to report the reliability of an instrument known to be multidimensional with means meant to be used with unidimensional instruments.

Dynamic risk scales have largely been evaluated using singular assessment scores, including those obtained at the start of supervision. While this approach includes assessment of dynamic factors, it ignores changes with reassessment, failing to examine whether an instrument is truly dynamic in nature. This is problematic, as proximal risk assessments have consistently outperformed baseline assessments in the prediction of recidivism. In the current study, we examined the dynamic properties of the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Reentry (DRAOR) in 4,736 adults on community supervision in Iowa, United States (N = 33,965 assessments). As expected, while clients demonstrated statistically significant changes on the DRAOR domains over time, changes were small in magnitude. We also examined the predictive validity of baseline and proximal DRAOR total and domain scores on criminal recidivism and revocation in a larger sample of 11,421 adults in the same jurisdiction. While DRAOR baseline scores did predict both outcomes, prediction did not improve with proximal scores. This conflicted with expected findings from previous research on the DRAOR in New Zealand. The results of both of these research questions indicate there was an overall lack of change reflected in this sample. Potential issues regarding implementation fidelity are discussed. Additional research is needed to examine the dynamic properties of the DRAOR in Iowa given the importance of reassessment data in community corrections.

This article offers initial validation of the Good Lives Assessment of Domains (GLAD). Data were collected from an electronic survey of 1,484 American adults. Participants were recruited via paid research panels using quotas set to match the U.S. population on Age, Race/Ethnicity, Sex/Gender, Education, and Household Income. Participants responded to a set of items including 48 original items to assess perceptions of life satisfaction in the 11 domains described in the GLM and the 5 Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) items. Factor Analysis indicated 45 final items that loaded onto 9 unique factors, with all loadings ranging between 0.391 and 0.854 with acceptable model fit (RMR = 0.070, CFI = 0.866, RMSEA = 0.063). Cronbach’s Alphas demonstrated acceptable reliability, with items achieving alpha scores greater than .7 in all individual domains and for overall GLAD scores. The correlation between GLAD and SWLS scores was .610 (p < .001). An Independent samples T-test found a significant mean difference (t = 4.360, p < .001, mean difference = 8.15737) in GLAD scores between respondents who reported no engagement in crime and deviance and those who reported engagement in crime and deviance.

According to the Risk-Need-Responsivity model, criminogenic needs are important in predicting violent behavior. Eight criminogenic needs are considered strong predictors: history of antisocial behavior, antisocial personality traits, criminal attitudes, criminal associates, substance abuse, family problems, poor work performance, and lack of involvement in prosocial leisure/recreation activities. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether seven criminogenic needs predict institutional misconduct in the first year of admission of Dutch patients who were admitted to a forensic hospital. Hospital records of 234 male patients were used to retrieve criminogenic needs assessed with the HCR-20^V3, with exception of criminal associates which was coded based on file review. The frequency of institutional misconduct was rated for verbal aggression, physical aggression, and sexual aggression. Exploratory analyses examined whether there was a (predictive) relation between psychopathy facets (PCL-R factors) and HCR-20^V3 clinical and risk management scales, and institutional misconduct. This study finds that criminogenic needs did not predict physical and sexual institutional misconduct, but a history of antisocial behavior and criminal attitudes were negative predictors for verbal aggression. Psychopathy facets and HCR-20^V3 scales did not predict institutional misconduct.

This study examines the impact of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Technical Education Certificate Programs on recidivism rates among formerly incarcerated individuals. CNC is a vocational training program that focuses on machine operation, programming, maintenance, and quality control processes for CNC equipment, preparing participants for skilled employment utilizing computer software to make high precision parts for manufactures. Employing mixed-methods, this study utilizes data from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and data from surveys and focus groups with program participants. For the quantitative analyses, CNC participants rates of experiencing a subsequent charge, conviction, term of incarceration, and time until new charge were compared to a comparison group constructed through propensity score matching. While the quantitative analysis revealed no significant differences in recidivism between the groups, qualitative findings indicated several benefits to participating in the program.

Criminal exploitation is the deliberate coercion of another person into criminal activity for the perpetrator’s advantage. Under the Modern Slavery Act, the umbrella term of criminal exploitation encompasses the County Lines model of drug distribution which can also include perpetrators forcing victims to commit theft, money laundering or to hold weapons. There is limited understanding of how criminal exploitation affects university students. This research therefore aimed to identify the tactics used by Organized Crime Groups to target them, and factors that are shown to increase their vulnerability to exploitation. Five published studies were included in our review which outline a number of tactics and risk factors for criminal exploitation in university students. Our review highlights the scarcity of literature pertaining to prevalence of criminal exploitation in university students and the need for further empirical research.

This study examined whether subscales of the Youth Level of Service Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) have added value beyond the total score. Including 238 detained Japanese juvenile offenders (ages 16–19), the proportional reduction in mean squared error (PRMSE) method was applied. Most subscales showed added value, except for Attitudes/Orientation. For the younger group, all subscales except Attitudes/Orientation showed added value. For older juveniles, Family Circumstances/Parenting, Education/Employment, and Attitudes/Orientation did not. Construct validity was assessed via correlations with prior delinquency indicators. While the total score showed consistent associations, some subscales—notably among older youth—did not, raising concerns about their relevance. These findings suggested that subscales should be interpreted according to both statistical distinctiveness and theoretical support. Subscale analysis may aid intervention planning, particularly for younger offenders, but its utility should be judged by both psychometric and practical standards.

Do the YLS/CMI Subscales Help Understand Risk Among Japanese Youth Offenders in Detention?

This study explored how to improve risk assessments for young people held in detention centers in Japan. A tool called the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) was used to estimate how likely a young person is to reoffend. The tool provides a total score and also includes eight subcategories (called subscales) such as family issues, education, peer relationships, and attitudes. The study examined whether these subscales offer useful information beyond the total score. Data were analyzed from 238 Japanese male youth offenders, aged 16 to 19, who were held in protective custody. A statistical method was used to check if each subscale improved how well the tool explained or predicted behavior. The results showed that some subscales, such as prior offenses and peer relationships, provided helpful additional information, especially for younger youth. However, other subscales, such as attitudes and education, were less useful particularly for older youth. This suggests that the usefulness of different parts of the tool may depend on age or personal background. Understanding which parts of a risk assessment tool offer the most meaningful information can help professionals create better support and treatment plans for young people involved in the justice system, both in Japan and beyond.