This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Craissati, J. Articles by Sindall, O. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Serious further offences: An exploration of risk and typologies

Oxleas Foundation NHS Trust, Jackie.craissati{at}oxleas.nhs.uk

Oliver Sindall

Canterbury Christ Church University College, osindall{at}gmail.com

This study examined 94 serious further offences (SFOs) committed by offenders managed by the London Probation Area over a 14-month period between 2004 and 2006. Data was collated on background and criminogenic variables for the sample, as well as retrospectively administering a range of validated actuarial measures of risk prediction. The predictive validity of key variables embedded within the probation OASys tool were also examined, specifically the utility of the DSPD variables and the OGRS and OGRS-2. The SFO offender characteristics — in keeping with previous studies — were wide ranging, as were the risk profiles of the offenders, the majority of whom fell into the medium risk range. The risk assessment and personality-based assessment tools routinely available to the probation service — that is, DSPD and OGRS scores — were found to be at least as accurate as other actuarially based methods of risk prediction. There were no clear identifying features of this sample of offenders which seemed to differentiate them from a much wider sample of the probation caseload, although the research was not designed to provide a comparison study. However, examination of the nature of the SFOs suggested there were some key situational contexts which were associated with serious harm to others (rather than simply likelihood of re-offending). These contexts included pervasive weapon use, unexpected victim responses during acquisitive crimes, and disputes occurring within an anti-social male subculture. Recommendations included a greater emphasis on harm reduction approaches to probation interventions in terms of risky lifestyles and weapon use.

Key Words: offending • risk • typologies

Probation Journal, Vol. 56, No. 1, 9-27 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0264550508099712


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?