bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Nature of Sexual Offenders' Affective Empathy: A Grounded Theory Analysis
Authors: Webster Stephen D. , Beech Anthony R.
Published: February 2008

The aim of this research was to investigate the nature of sexual offenders' affective empathy. Thirty-one men participating in a residential treatment program for child abusers constructed "victim apology letters" as a way of measuring/examining empathy deficits. The task was videotaped, transcribed, and subject to grounded theory techniques. It was discovered that intrafamilial offenders were more likely to minimize their behavior while exhibiting illicit power and control, whereas extrafamilial offenders were more likely to directly blame their victims and exhibit overtly explicit offense detail. From these open-coded categories, the axial categories of self as nonoffender, external blaming, and secondary victimization were derived. These results may have implications for the delivery of victim empathy components of sexual offender treatment programs.
Predictors of Sexual Recidivism: Did Meta-Analysis Clarify the Role and Relevance of Denial?
Authors: Lund Charles A.
Published: February 2008

Seven studies selected for meta-analysis of the denial variable in a large-scale meta-analysis of predictors of sexual recidivism are briefly reviewed and a number of methodologic issues are identified that relate to interpretation of the failure of meta-analysis to find an effect for the denial variable. These include variability in definition of the denial variable, variation in treatment access and exclusion for deniers, low base rates of recidivism, small sample sizes, low power, and high probability of type II error across individual studies. Despite the apparent objectivity and power of this methodology, a careful examination of the individual studies suggests that meta-analysis did not clarify the role and relevance of denial as a predictor of sexual recidivism. Further work is necessary to clarify the role and relevance of denial in treatment success, risk assessment, and risk prediction.
A Structured Approach to Evaluating Change Among Sexual Offenders
Authors: Hanson R. Karl , Harris Andrew J. R.
Published: February 2008

Presently, there are no established scales that evaluate change in risk among sexual offenders. The Sex Offender Need Assessment Rating (SONAR) was developed to fill this gap. The SONAR includes five relatively stable factors (intimacy deficits, negative social influences, attitudes tolerant of sex offending, sexual self-regulation, general self-regulation) and four acute factors (substance abuse, negative mood, anger, victim access). The psychometric properties of the scale were examined using data previously collected by Hanson and Harris (1998, 2000). Overall, the scale showed adequate internal consistency and moderate ability to differentiate between recidivists and nonrecidivists (r = .43; ROC area of.74). SONAR continued to distinguish between the groups after controlling for well-established risk indicators, such as age, and scores on the Static-99 (Hanson & Thornton, 2000) and the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (Quinsey, Harris, Rice, & Cormier, 1998).
A Revision of the Abel and Becker Cognition Scale for Intellectually Disabled Sexual Offenders
Authors: Kolton David J. C. , Boer Alexandra , Boer Douglas P.
Published: February 2008

The Abel and Becker Cognition Scale (ABCS) measures cognitive distortions supportive of sexually assaultive behavior by child molesters. Research has shown that ABCS items may be too complex to be comprehended by offenders with intellectual disabilities. A modification of the ABCS to increase its readability may be one way to facilitate the valid assessment of the cognitive distortions of intellectually disabled offenders. In addition, a dichotomous scoring system was found to be helpful in the reduction of extremity bias by such offenders. The revised items, explanation of the scoring system, and supporting data are available from the first author.
Cognitive/Behavioral Treatment for Sexual Offenders: An Examination of Recidivism
Authors: Aytes Kathryn England , Olsen Sam S. , Zakrajsek Todd , Murray Paul , Ireson Randall
Published: February 2008

Recent research in the treatment of sexual offenders suggests that comprehensive cognitivelbehavioral approaches may yield lower recidivism. This study reviewed such a program, existing in Jackson County, Oregon, since 1982. Offenders were mandated into this community-based program upon conviction of a felony or misdemeanor sexual offense, and averaged 2-3 years of participation. A group of offenders who participated in the Jackson County program between 1985 and 1995 was identified through archival data from the Oregon Department of Corrections. The data revealed success or nonsuccess in treatment, and any new convictions for sexual or nonsexual offenses. A control group of nonsexual offenders in Jackson County, and a group of sexual offenders in Linn County who did not have access to any treatment program were also studied. As hypothesized, those Jackson County offenders who successfully completed treatment had lower recidivism rates than those who were unsuccessful in the program. The observed effect of the program was particularly strong for offenders who remained in treatment for 1 year or more. When review was restricted to those participants, the reoffense rate for Jackson County offenders was reduced by over 40% when compared with Linn County offenders.
Birth Order, Birth Interval, and Deviant Sexual Preferences Among Sex Offenders
Authors: Côté Karine , Earls Christopher M. , Lalumiere Martin L.
Published: February 2008

We investigated whether birth order and birth interval are associated with phallometric responding among 168 sex offenders. Based on the immunoreactivity hypothesis, we predicted that a larger number of older brothers and a shorter birth interval between the offenders and their next older brothers would be associated with more deviant responding. Results showed that a larger number of older brothers (but not older sisters, younger brothers, or younger sisters) was associated with more deviant responding on the Most Deviant Index, a general measure of sexual deviance. A larger number of older brothers was associated with arousal to nonsexual violence against women and children, but contrary to expectation, the same association was also found for the number of younger brothers. A short birth interval with the next older brother was associated with greater relative arousal to nonsexual violence, but the correlation with the Most Deviant Index did not reach statistical significance. Overall, results were consistent with the main predictions, but the effects of birth order and birth interval were mostly restricted to arousal to nonsexual violence. Birth order and birth interval were not associated with pedophilic interests or gender preferences.
Penile Plethysmography Before the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Gazan Freddy
Published: February 2008

The Court of the Council of Europe has been confronted to the request of an offender complaining to have been submitted to Plythesmograph. An extract of the European Court's decision of Human Rights, preceded by a short introduction, is printed below.
Dynamic Risk Factors: The Kia Marama Evaluation
Authors: Hudson Stephen M. , Wales David S. , Bakker Leon , Ward Tony
Published: February 2008

Risk assessment is an essential part of clinical practice. Each of the three aspects of risk (static, stable, and acute dynamic) are important at various points of contact between the man and the systems that are responsible for providing service. Dynamic factors, the typical treatment and supervision targets, have received less research attention than static factors. This paper examined the extent to which pretreatment, posttreatment and change scores were associated with reoffending among men incarcerated for sexually molesting. The results were generally supportive of change in prooffending attitudes as the key to not reoffending and suggested that the perspective-taking component of empathy and the use of fantasy may be important mechanisms. Affect scales generally failed to show any relationship with reoffending, outside decreases in trait and suppressed anger. Moreover, these data suggest that we could improve our assessments and treatment through increased sensitivity to offense pathways.
The Relative Utility of Fixed and Variable Risk Factors in Discriminating Sexual Recidivists and Nonrecidivists
Authors: Dempster Rebecca J. , Hart Stephen D.
Published: February 2008

This study compared the relative utility of fixed and variable risk factors in discriminating between recidivist and nonrecidivist sexual offenders. Subjects were 95 adult male offenders released from the Canadian federal correctional system between 1988 and 1992. Risk factors from the Sexual Violence Risk-20 (SVR-20; D. P. Boer, S. D. Hart, P. R. Kropp, & C. D. Webster, 1997) were coded from prerelease institutional records; sexual and nonsexual violent recidivism was coded from postrelease police and correctional records. SVR-20 risk factors were categorized as fixed (static) or variable (dynamic) markers according to the criteria of H. C. Kraemer et al. (1997); the fixed risk markers were further divided into offense history and psychosocial factors. Hierarchical Cox regression survival analyses were conducted to compare the relative contribution of fixed offense history, fixed psychosocial, and variable psychosocial risk markers in accounting for any violent recidivism and sexually violent recidivism. Analyses indicated that fixed psychosocial factors added little to the models comprised fixed offense history factors alone. There was some evidence that variable psychosocial factors had incremental validity when added to predictions made on the basis of fixed factors, particularly in the prediction of sexual violence. The individual factors that were included in the final models are consistent with previous findings, and support the use of sexual deviance and antisocial lifestyle variables in the prediction of recidivism among sexual offenders.
A Comparison of Modified Versions of the Static-99 and the Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide
Authors: Nunes Kevin L. , Firestone Philip , Bradford John M. , Greenberg David M. , Broom Ian
Published: February 2008

The predictive validity of 2 risk assessment instruments for sex offenders, modified versions of the Static-99 and the Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide, was examined and compared in a sample of 258 adult male sex offenders. In addition, the independent contributions to the prediction of recidivism made by each instrument and by various phallometric indices were explored. Both instruments demonstrated moderate levels of predictive accuracy for sexual and violent (including sexual) recidivism. They were not significantly different in terms of their predictive accuracy for sexual or violent recidivism, nor did they contribute independently to the prediction of sexual or violent recidivism. Of the phallometric indices examined, only the pedophile index added significantly to the prediction of sexual recidivism, but not violent recidivism, above the Static-99 alone.
Principles and Techniques for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Group Therapy With Sex Offenders
Authors: Jennings Jerry L. , Sawyer Steven
Published: February 2008

Group-based interventions are widely used as the preferred method for the treatment of sexual offenders. However, little attention has been given to the vital interpersonal processes within groups, which contribute to their therapeutic effect. This paper describes specific principles and techniques of group therapy that will help sex offender treatment practitioners take full advantage of this unique modality and thereby maximize the positive impact of treatment. In contrast to an individual-focused style that characterizes many sex offender treatment groups, group-focused interventions involve all group members and use the social/relational energy that is essential to the group modality.
A Comparison of Anxiety and Depression in Sex Offenders With Intellectual Disability and a Control Group With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Lindsay William R. , Lees Melanie S.
Published: February 2008

The aims of this study were to employ modified versions of the 21-item Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories with a group of 16 sex offenders with mild intellectual disability and borderline intelligence and 16 control participants with similar levels of intellectual disability. Test-retest correlations found high reliability for both assessments across all participants. There was a significant difference between the scores of the 2 groups with the sex offenders reporting significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression than the control participants. The results are discussed by presenting hypotheses on the emotional stability in each group.
Psychopathy and Sexual Deviance in Treated Rapists: Association With Sexual and Nonsexual Recidivism
Authors: Hildebrand Martin , de Ruiter Corine , de Vogel Vivienne
Published: February 2008

This study examined the role of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; R. D. Hare, 1991) and sexual deviance scores in predicting recidivism in a sample of 94 convicted rapists involuntarily admitted to a Dutch forensic psychiatric hospital between 1975 and 1996. The predictive utility of grouping offenders based on the combination of psychopathy and sexual deviance was also investigated. Measures were coded from prerelease institutional records. Recidivism (reconviction) data were retrieved from the Judicial Documentation Register of the Ministry of Justice and were related to PCL-R and sexual deviance cores. The follow-up period after release ranged up to 23.5 years (M = 11. 8 years). Base rates for sexual, violent nonsexual, violent (including sexual), and general recidivism were 34%, 47%, 55%, and 73%, respectively. For all types of offending, offenders scoring high on the PCL-R (>26) were significantly more often reconvicted than other offenders. The sexual deviance score was found to be a significant predictor of sexual reconviction. Survival analyses provided considerable evidence that psychopathic sex offenders with sexual deviant preferences are at substantially greater risk of committing new sexual offenses than psychopathic offenders without deviant preferences or nonpsychopathic offenders with or without sexual deviance. The findings are discussed in terms of their practical and clinical implications.
Offender and Victim Characteristics of Registered Female Sexual Offenders in Texas: A Proposed Typology of Female Sexual Offenders
Authors: Vandiver Donna M. , Kercher Glen
Published: February 2008

Victim and offender characteristic of all registered adult female sexual offenders in Texas (N = 471) were examined. The most common offenses the females were arrested for were indecency with a child-sexual contact, sexual assault on a child, and aggravated sexual assault on a child. The majority (88%) of the females were Caucasian and the ages ranged from 18 to 77 (M = 32). The results of Hierarchical Loglinear Modeling yielded a complex relationship between offender and victim characteristics; thus, identification of preferred victims is mitigated by more than one variable. Additionally, the employment of cluster analysis yielded 6 types of female sexual offenders. The most common group includes 146 offenders, heterosexual nurturers. They were the least likely to have an arrest for a sexual assault. The victims were males who averaged 12 years of age. The other types of offenders included, noncriminal homosexual offenders, female sexual predators, young adult child exploiters, homosexual criminals, and aggressive homosexual offenders.
Processing Bias for Sexual Material: The Emotional Stroop and Sexual Offenders
Authors: Smith Paul , Waterman Mitch
Published: February 2008

As part of an ongoing research project we examined information-processing biases in forensic and nonforensic participants (n = 10 sex offenders, n = 10 violent offenders, n = 10 nonviolent offenders, and n = 13 undergraduates). A computerised version of the Stroop task demonstrated that offenders convicted of both sexual and violent offences were significantly slower than undergraduates to color-name words relating to sexual offending (with sex offenders demonstrating the greatest interference bias). Furthermore, processing bias was also evident for aggression words in violent offenders and violent sexual offenders but not in nonviolent sexual offenders. Specifically, paedophiles convicted of indecent assault presented different response profiles compared to heterosexual rapists. These findings suggest that tests that assess information processing bias for salient material may also prove useful as an assessment tool within forensic populations.
A Prospective Study of the Impact of Polygraphy on High-Risk Behaviors in Adult Sex Offenders
Authors: Grubin Don , Madsen Lars , Parsons Shaun , Sosnowski Dan , Warberg Brent
Published: February 2008

This study examined whether polygraph testing would result in sex offenders engaging in fewer high-risk behaviors. Fifty adult male sex offenders taking part in community treatment programs were allocated into 2 groups: "Polygraph Aware" subjects were told they would receive a polygraph examination in 3 months regarding their high-risk behaviors, while "Polygraph Unaware" subjects were told their behavior would be reviewed in 3 months. Relevant behaviors for each subject were established at baseline interviews, following which both groups were polygraphed at 3 months. All subjects were polygraphed again at 6 months. The hypothesis was that subjects in the "Polygraph Aware" group would have engaged in fewer high-risk behaviors, based on their self-report during the examination. Thirty-two subjects (64%) attended the first polygraph examination, with 31 (97%) disclosing an average of 2.45 high-risk behaviors each previously unknown to supervising probation officers. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Because of the high failure rate, all subjects were told to expect a second polygraph. Twenty-one subjects (42%) completed the second polygraph test, with 71 % disclosing an average of 1.57 behaviors, a significant decrease compared with the first test. Disclosures to treatment providers and probation officers also increased. It was concluded that polygraph testing resulted in offenders engaging in less high-risk behavior, although the possibility that offenders fabricated reports of high-risk behaviours to satisfy examiners is also considered; similarly, offenders seemed to be more honest with their supervisors, but this only occurred after experience of the test itself. Feedback from offenders who completed the study, taken together with the high drop out rate, suggested that those motivated not to reoffend found polygraphy useful, while those less motivated sought to avoid it.
Factor Structure and Validation of the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol (J-SOAP)
Authors: Righthand Sue , Prentky Robert , Knight Raymond , Carpenter Erika , Hecker Jeffrey E. , Nangle Douglas
Published: February 2008

The Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol (J-SOAP) was first developed in 1994 in response to the need for a structured method of assessing risk of recidivism among juvenile sexual offenders (R. A. Prentky, B. Harris, K. Frizzell, & S. Righthand, 2000). Over the ensuing years the scale has been subjected to a series of studies that have sought to examine its psychometric properties and its validity. The current paper reports on results from three of these studies, one of which looks at the factor structure of the items. The other two studies examine concurrent validity by looking at J-SOAP Scales 1 and 2 in relation to the Level of Service Inventory-Youth Version with: Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) (R. D. Hoge & D. A. Andrews, 1996) and other selected variables and discriminant validity by looking at the ability of J-SOAP scales to differentiate between juvenile sex offenders in the community and juvenile sex offenders in residential placement. The revision of the scale is discussed based on the research that has developed the scale and the research that has employed it.
Sexual Offenders Against Children: The Influence of Personality and Obsessionality on Cognitive Distortions
Authors: Egan Vincent , Kavanagh Beth , Blair Marie
Published: February 2008

Sexual offenders against children are generally inadequate in their social functioning and diverse in their psychopathology. The degree to which this inadequate functioning and psychopathology influences therapeutic interventions brings into question the belief that generic non clinical programmatic treatment work is always appropriate for such a cohort. The Sex Offenders Assessment Package (SOAP) measures inadequate social functioning and sexual deviance, but has not been linked to broader individual differences and generic psychopathology. We collected information examining the relationship between the SOAP and standard measures of personality (the NEO-FFI) and obsessive-compulsiveness (MOCI) in a sample of 200 sexual offenders against children seen by the Probation Service. Factor analysis was used to reduce the SOAP to three reliable factors: emotional distress, cognitions supporting sex with children, and concern for others. These factors correlated respectively with higher Neuroticism and lower Extroversion; greater obsessive-compulsiveness on the MOCI, and trait Agreeableness, irrespective of whether or not one corrected for socially desirable responding. When partial correlation controlled for the influence of Neuroticism on the correlation between cognitions supporting sex with children and the MOCI, there was no change in the association between these variables. These results show that negative affect and obsessional tendencies are important underlying influences on the feelings and behavior of sexual offenders, that the obsessionality of the group is not attributable to Neuroticism, and suggest useful additional foci to enhance the treatment of this diverse clinical group.
The Criminal Activity of Sexual Offenders in Adulthood: Revisiting the Specialization Debate
Authors: Lussier Patrick
Published: February 2008

Two major hypotheses have been put forward to describe the criminal activity of sexual offenders in adulthood. The first hypothesis states that sexual offenders are specialists who tend to repeat sexual crimes. The second hypothesis describes sexual offenders as generalists who do not restrict themselves to one particular type of crime. The current state of knowledge provides empirical support for both the specialization and the generality hypothesis. The presence of both generality and specialization in the offending behavior of sexual offenders is not as contradictory as it may first appear. However, methodological problems limit the possibility of drawing firm conclusions. Indeed, the specialization hypothesis is based on just one parameter of criminal activity, that is, recidivism, which only takes into account two consecutive crimes. The generality hypothesis is focused mainly on two criminal activity parameters, participation and variety, which do not take into account the dynamic nature of criminal activity over time. Developimental criminology provides a new paradigm to explore the issue of generality and specialization in the offending behavior of sexual offenders.
Relapse Prevention with Intellectually Disabled Sexual Offenders
Authors: Keeling Jenny A. , Rose John L.
Published: February 2008

The adaptation of relapse prevention theory to sexual offending (W. D. Pithers, J. K. Marques, C. C. Gibat, & G. A. Marlatt, 1983) has represented an important movement in cognitive-behavioural treatment for sexual offenders. However, this model of relapse prevention has been criticised for its limited view and oversimplification of the relapse prevention process (R. K. Hanson, 2000; T. Ward & S. M. Hudson, 1996). As a result, T. Ward and S. M. Hudson (2000a) have developed a multiple pathway model of the relapse prevention process based on self-regulation theory. Although this model continues to be empirically validated on sexual offenders (J. A. Bickley & A. R. Beech, 2002; T. Ward, S. M. Hudson, & J. C. McCormick, 1999), there has been no empirical research regarding the application of this theory to intellectually disabled sexual offenders. This paper discusses whether the characteristics of offenders in each of the relapse offence pathways, as described by T. Ward and S. M. Hudson (2000a), may be similar to the characteristics of intellectually disabled sexual offenders. From a review of the literature, it appears that the intellectually disabled sexual offender may be most likely to offend via the approach-automatic pathway or the avoidantpassive pathway. The potential treatment implications of the self-regulation model for intellectually disabled sexual offenders is discussed, as well as the need for empirical evaluation with regards to the application of this model to the intellectually disabled sexual offender population.
Another Look at Interpreting Risk Categories
Authors: Mossman Douglas
Published: February 2008

Several studies over the past decade have shown that simple rating scales can accurately rank sex offenders' long-term risk of recidivism. But when using these scales as prediction tools, evaluators often wish to translate categories of risk into probabilities of recidivism. Doren (2004) has recently suggested that evaluators may use the recidivism percentages published in original studies of the RRASOR and STATIC-99 without regard to differences in populations or base rates. This article explains why Doren's computations should lead to a different conclusion, and describes how simply comparing percentages across studies can mislead researchers and clinicians. Instead, investigators should isolate and examine the detection properties of risk assessment instruments alone, independent of the population- or setting-specific base rate. This article explains this process, using an imaginary study to illustrate how base rates and the properties of risk assessment instruments yield estimated probabilities of recidivism. The article also shows why Doren's results imply that the percentages of recidivism associated with scores on the RRASOR and STATIC-99 scores may vary across study populations. The article offers recommendations for researchers who design and evaluate actuarial methods of assessing risk and for clinicians who interpret results from risk assessment instruments.
Age and Sexual Recidivism: A Variable Connection
Authors: Thornton David
Published: February 2008

Meta-analysis (R. K. Hanson & M. T. Bussière, 1998) has indicated an overall negative correlation between age and sexual recidivism, but also found that the size of this inverse relationship varies significantly between samples. The present study examined the relationship between age on release and sexual recidivism in a large (N = 75 2), nationally representative, sample of imprisoned male sexual offenders followed up for 10 years. Sexual offenders released at a younger age tended to be more general criminals while those released at an older age tended to be sexual specialists. Consistent with C. F. Roberts, D. M. Doren, and D. Thornton (2002), age on release was found to make a significant contribution to the prediction of sexual reconviction when two aspects of criminal history (sexual deviance and general criminality) were controlled. Overall, the odds of being sexually reconvicted declined by about 0.02 with each year of increasing age. In addition to this general decline in recidivism with increasing age, there was also a cubic effect of age for the offenders who had been sentenced for sexual offenses on at least two prior occasions. This group showed an exceptionally high sexual recidivism rate when released between the ages of 18-24 (80%). For those aged between 25 and 59 their sexual reconviction rate was consistently just under 50% regardless of age. Then for the small group aged 60+ no further sexual reconvictions were found.
What Do We Know About the Effect of Aging on Recidivism Risk for Sexual Offenders?
Authors: Doren Dennis M.
Published: February 2008

Meta-analytic and multiple sample study findings indicate there is an overall inverse relationship between sexual offenders' age at the time of their release from incarceration and their sexual recidivism risk (Hanson, 2002 ; Hanson & Bussière, 1998). Very recent studies, however, document limits to the generalizability of that finding. This article attempts to integrate the new empirical results into a coherent picture concerning the relationship between aging and recidivism risk for sexual offenders. The purpose is to determine the extent to which empirically-based conclusions can be drawn about how to incorporate the issue of offender age in sexual recidivism risk assessments. Overall, instead of finding straightforward conclusions of a practical nature, a series of study-specific conclusions were found that were often mutually exclusive. Further analyses of existing data were conducted in an attempt to tease out meaningful hypotheses concerning the relationship between offender age and sexual recidivism. Numerous potentially interacting variables were uncovered including participation in treatment, type of risk measure used, type of sexual offender, jurisdiction, and even a different measure of offender age. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Relapse Prevention for Sexual Offenders: Considerations for the "Abstinence Violation Effect"
Authors: Wheeler Jennifer G. , George William H. , Marlatt G. Alan
Published: February 2008

Relapse Prevention (RP) is a cognitive-behavioral approach originally developed for treatment of addictions and has since become an effective and popular method for treating sexual offenders. The Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE) is a pivotal RP construct describing one's cognitive and affective response to re-engaging in a prohibited behavior. We review the literature on the AVE in both addiction and sexual offender applications. We summarize the original and subsequent formulations of the AVE for addictions and modifications adopted for its application to sexual offenders. We argue that these modifications have generally failed to characterize sexual offense relapse cycles accurately or comprehensively. In particular, these modifications fail to specify accurately the AVE's occurrence and influence in the offense cycle. In response to these limitations, we suggest future directions for AVE research in sexual offenders.
The Effectiveness of Sexual Offender Treatment for Juveniles as Measured by Recidivism: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Reitzel Lorraine R. , Carbonell Joyce L.
Published: February 2008

Published and unpublished data from nine studies on juvenile sexual offender treatment effectiveness were summarized by meta-analysis (N = 2986, 2604 known male). Recidivism rates for sexual, non-sexual violent, non-sexual non-violent crimes, and unspecified non-sexual were as follows: 12.53%, 24.73%, 28.51%, and 20.40%, respectively, based on an average 59-month follow-up period. Four included studies contained a control group (n = 2288) and five studies included a comparison treatment group (n = 698). An average weighted effect size of 0.43 (CI = 0.33-0.55) was obtained, indicating a statistically significant effect of treatment on sexual recidivism. However, individual study characteristics (e.g., handling of dropouts and non-equivalent follow-up periods between treatment groups) suggest that results should be interpreted with caution. A comparison of odds ratios by quality of study design indicated that higher quality designs yielded better effect sizes, though the difference between groups was not significant.
Unguided Clinical and Actuarial Assessment of Re-offending Risk: A Direct Comparison with Sex Offenders in Denmark
Authors: Bengtson Susanne , LÅngström Niklas
Published: February 2008

Meta-analyses suggest that actuarial risk assessments outperform unguided clinical judgment for prediction of recidivism in criminal offenders. However, there is a lack of direct comparisons of the predictive accuracy of clinical judgment and actuarial risk scales for sexual offenders. We followed up 121 male sex offenders (≥18 years) subjected to pre-trial forensic psychiatric assessment in Denmark in 1978-1992 (mean post-detainment time=16.4 years) to compare the predictive validity of unstructured clinical judgment of recidivism risk with that of the well-established Static-99 (Hanson and Thornton, Law and Human Behavior 24:119-136, 2000) and an extension of the Static-99, the Static-2002 (Hanson and Thornton, Notes on the development of Static-2002 (Rep. No. 2003-01), Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 2003). The predictive accuracy of unguided judgment did not exceed chance for any sexual, severe sexual or any violent (sexual or non-sexual) reconviction (AUCs of the ROC curve=0.52, 95%CI=0.41-0.63; 0.50, 95%CI=0.34-0.67; and 0.57, 95%CI= 0.40-0.73, respectively). In contrast, all three outcomes were predicted significantly better than chance by the Static-99 (AUC=0.62, 95%CI=0.52-0.72; 0.72, 95%CI= 0.59-0.84; and 0.71, 95%CI=0.56-0.86) and the Static-2002 (AUC=0.67, 95%CI= 0.57-0.77; 0.69, 95%CI=0.56-0.83; and 0.70, 95%CI=0.55-0.86). Static-99 out-performed clinical judgment for sexual recidivision (χ2=5.11, df=1, p<.05). The Static-2002 was significantly more accurate for the prediction of any sexual recidivism as compared to unguided clinical judgment but its advantage fell just short of statistical significance for severe sexual recidivism (χ2=3.56, df=1, p=0.06). When tested for recidivism within 2 years, none of the three prediction methods yielded results significantly better than chance for any outcome. This direct trial of the unguided clinical method argues against its continued use for risk assessment of sexual offenders.
Human Rights and the Treatment of Sex Offenders
Authors: Ward Tony , Gannon Theresa A. , Birgden Astrid
Published: February 2008

Human rights create a protective zone around persons and allow them the opportunity to further their own valued personal projects without interference from others. All human beings hold human rights and that includes sex offenders, although some of their freedom rights may be legitimately curtailed by the State. In this paper we apply the concept of human rights to sex offenders. First we briefly analyze the concept of human rights, their structure, and justification. Second, we apply our own model of human rights to the assessment and treatment of sex offenders. We conclude that a significant advantage of a human rights approach is that it is able to integrate the value and capability aspects of offender treatment.
Factors Related to Recidivism Among Juvenile Sexual Offenders
Authors: Rasmussen Lucinda A.
Published: February 2008

This recidivism study retrospectively examined the juvenile court case records of 170 first-time juvenile sexual offenders in a 5-year observation period. Cox regression, a model of event history analysis, was used to test hypotheses and to build multivariate competing risk models predictive of criminal recidivism. The multivariate analyses found that nonsexual offense recidivism was significantly (p < .01) associated with (a) prior nonsexual offenses and (b) failure to complete treatment. Sexual offense recidivism was significantly associated with larger numbers of female victims, but results were inconclusive due to the small size (n = 13) of the sexual reoffending sample.
Do Sexual Offenders Molest When Other Persons Are Present? A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Underwood Rocky C. , Patch Peter C. , Cappelletty Gordon G. , Wolfe Roger W.
Published: February 2008

This study utilized a rough clinical survey to assess the prevalence of child molestation perpetrated in the presence of other non-collaborating persons. Survey data were gathered on 131 post- incarcerated adult sex offenders at two community treatment programs. Subjects were divided into two groups, child molesters (CMs) and nonmolesters (NCMs). Results indicated that 54.9% of the CMs had molested when another child was present, 23.9% had molested when another adult was present, and 14.2% had molested when both a child and an adult were present. Both groups implicated increased excitement, a sense of mastery, and compulsive sexual behavior as the reasons for this type of offense. Moreover, the data indicated that approximately 63% of the offenders who had not molested in the presence of other persons felt they may have progressed to that point had they not been arrested and placed in treatment. Limitations of the study are discussed.
Judges' Knowledge About Sexual Offenders, Difficulties Presiding Over Sexual Offense Cases, and Opinions on Sentencing, Treatment, and Legislation
Authors: Bumby Kurt M. , Maddox Marc C.
Published: February 2008

Forty-two Midwestern trial judges responded to a survey designed to assess knowledge about sexual offenders; attitudes toward adjudication, sentencing, treatment, and release; and opinions regarding sexual offender-related legislation. Results indicated that the judges held a variety of beliefs regarding the etiology and dynamics involved in sexual offending which differ from those of most professionals in the field of sexual offender management. However, the judges accurately identified important issues related to victims and some myths about offenders. The importance of retribution and rehabilitation for sexual offenders was emphasized, and considerable support was revealed for controversial legislative issues such as community notification, mandatory registration, and civil commitment of sexual predators. Of particular interest is the finding that, compared to other cases, sexual offense cases were rated by judges as more difficult over which to preside from a legal and technical standpoint, a personal and emotional viewpoint, and a public scrutiny and public pressure perspective. These issues, as well as judges' comments on current systemic and decision-making difficulties, are discussed in terms of the importance of judicial education programs and future research.
A Cross-Sectional Investigation of Status Post–Lower Extremity Joint Replacement Patients
Authors: Maloney Sean , Ng Dennis , Schneider Debi
Published: February 2008

The objective of this cross-sectional investigation is to describe a cohort of 275 status post joint replacement patients who received home health services from an orthopedic home health agency in St. Louis, Missouri. This study also aims to determine if these patients achieved statistically significant improvements in their functional mobility skills, pain, and emotional status. Demographic data were collected together with functional mobility elements from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set pertinent to the rehabilitation of status post joint replacement patients on admission and discharge from home care. Because of the limited nature of participant selection and convenience sampling, no correlations or trends were established among the data collected. However, this cross-sectional analysis validated the incidence of a patient subpopulation that is admitted directly to home care after undergoing joint replacement surgery and demonstrated that these patients achieved significant positive outcomes in functional measures.
One Program's Journey
Authors: Brault Linda M. J. , Ashley Melinda , Gallo Jan
Published: February 2008

Initially, many providers viewed the natural environment initiative as a move to close center-based or specialized facilities and as the newest "fad" in service delivery. Training and technical support for this initiative has allowed providers to recognize that natural environments embody philosophical intent essential to a truly family-centered process. This family-centered process never removes the family from their natural environment but rather, works with the family to make their environment more responsive to the child's needs. Service providers are challenged to value the family's typical routine so that they make their sup ports and services "fit" the family instead of requiring the family [to] "fit" the program (Elder, 1999, ¶6).
Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Nelson Lauri H. , Johnston Susan S.
Published: February 2008

It is the first day of school and excitement has filled Mrs. Kay's kindergarten classroom. Mrs. Kay is always happy for the new school year to begin. However, this year also brings some trepidation. She has a new student named Ashley who is deaf and who has a cochlear implant. This situation is very new to Mrs. Kay and she currently has more questions than answers.
Together We Can
Authors: Rosenkoetter Sharon E.
Published: February 2008

T ogether we can do this ... ," Gracie remembers saying to herself many times the first year. "Together we can make a great learning experience for the children. "

Gracie is a Head Start teacher. Her co-teachers are Mimi, an early childhood special educator; Paula, a paraprofessional; Sandra, a Title I teacher; Kerri, who is paid by the state preschool program; and Joan and David, child care providers. Several therapists are present part-time. Together this team operates two large classrooms with 35 children attending at each of two sessions per day. The space can be-and usually is-subdivided into smaller pods of children and teachers. Eight of the children in the morning group and seven in the afternoon group have special needs, some quite significant. Several children arrive for child care as early as 6:45 AM, and others stay as late as 5:15. Some children attend for three hours and some for four hours, while other children receive extended care and education. The children funded by the state preschool program attend just two days per week on alternating schedules. Together ... this team has created a blended preschool program.
Agents or Trustees? International Courts in their Political Context
Authors: Alter Karen J.
Published: February 2008

In International Relations applications, theorists employing Principal— Agent (P—A) theory have posited that the fact of delegation defines a relationship between states (collective Principals) and international organizations (Agents) where recontracting threats are the predominant way states influence IOs. Developing a category of delegation to international Trustees, I argue that recontracting tools will be both harder to use and less effective at influencing the Trustees. Trustees are (1) selected because of their personal reputation or professional norms, (2) given independent authority to make decisions according to their best judgment or professional criteria, and (3) empowered to act on behalf of a beneficiary. These three factors account for the different politics between Principals and Trustees, a politics aimed at either keeping issues outside of the domain of the Trustee or at rhetorically engaging the Trustee's authority in an effort to persuade the common `beneficiary' whose loyalty and respect both States and the Trustee seek. In explaining why recontracting threats are not central to Principal—Trustee relations, the analysis bounds the realm in which we might expect P—A theory to apply, and provides a theoretical basis to question the `rational expectations' claim that ICs are tailoring their decisions to reflect the wishes of powerful states and avoid adverse recontracting.
Profiling executive dysfunction in adults with autism and comorbid learning disability
Authors: Barnard Louise , Muldoon Kevin , Hasan Reem , O'Brien Gregory , Stewart Mary
Published: February 2008

Executive dysfunction is thought to be primary to autism. We examined differences in executive function between 20 adults with autism and learning disability and 23 individuals with learning disabilities outside the autistic spectrum. All participants were matched for chronological age and full-scale IQ, and were given a battery of tasks assessing fluency, planning, set-shifting, inhibition and working memory. Analyses of the individual tasks revealed very few significant differences between the two groups. However, analyses of composite scores derived for each executive domain revealed that the group with autism showed impaired performance on the working memory and planning tests. Together, these two measures were sufficient to classify participants into their diagnostic groups significantly better than would be expected by chance (75% of the autism group; 65% of the control group). Executive impairments were neither universal nor exclusive to the autism group, and we suggest that an alternative cognitive theory may better explain the cognitive profile we found.
Robust control and optimisation of energy consumption in daylight—artificial light integrated schemes
Authors: Kurian CP , Aithal RS , Bhat J. , George VI
Published: February 2008

Energy efficiency strategies based on daylight—artificial light integrated schemes have proved to be efficient by many researchers worldwide. But much larger energy savings with the benefit of visual and thermal comfort can be achieved when systems integration strategies are competently designed. They require a high level of expertise and familiarity with new design techniques. This study describes the results of three computational models suitable for the optimum integration of visual comfort, thermal comfort, and energy consumption in schemes where daylight and artificial light are integrated. This mainly involves: (i) a system identification approach in lighting control strategy, (ii) a fuzzy logic based controller to reduce glare, increase uniformity and thermal comfort, and (iii) an adaptive predictive control scheme for the dimming of artificial light. In addition to the above models the scheme must take account of occupancy and user wishes. The anticipated synergetic effects of the computational models have been validated using climate data. A SIMULINK environment is established for the real time control and analysis of daylight—artificial light integrated schemes. Overall, the schemes maximise energy cost saving while optimizing the performance and the quality of the visual environment.
The effect of a stimulus frequency bias in side-by-side brightness ranking tests
Authors: Fotios SA , Cheal C.
Published: February 2008

It was found that a stimulus frequency bias can affect forced-choice brightness ranking tests and is sufficient to affect the conclusions drawn. When a stimulus is compared against a range of comparison stimuli and judgements of relative magnitude are sought, the range of comparison stimuli should be selected to enable all possible responses to be given with approximately equal frequency to avoid a stimulus frequency bias.
Culture As (And After) Production
Authors: Santoro Marco
Published: February 2008

This paper discusses the contribution of Richard A. Peterson to the discipline of sociology in general, and the sociological study of cultural production and consumption more particularly. It illustrate the main tenets of the 'production of culture' perspective proposed by Peterson from the early 1970s onwards, its intellectual genealogy, and the impact this perspective has had on the development of the sociology of culture in different countries. The paper also considers some of the criticisms addressed to the production of culture approach by scholars who have insisted on more interpretivist or critical analyses of culture. The paper concludes by arguing for the heuristic usefulness and epistemological relevance of an approach to cultural analysis which, while still cultivating a sense for the specificities of cultural objects as symbolic representations and meaning structures, is empirically focused on institutions and forms of social organization.