The assessment of sex offenders for civil commitment proceedings: An analysis of report content.

摘要

In states with Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) civil commitment laws, mental health professionals are increasingly being called upon to perform evaluations of sex offenders nearing the end of their prison sentences. Limited information is available regarding the assessment practices utilized by professionals conducting evaluations within this legal context. This study sought to bridge the gap in knowledge between the extensive literature of sex offender risk assessment and the current methodology utilized by clinicians performing SVP assessments. From an archival sample of reports on offenders being considered for civil commitment proceedings in the State of Texas, a sample of 109 reports was randomly selected and coded using a manual authored for this study. Chi-square analyses and independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare differences between offenders upon whom petitions alleging sexually violent predator status were filed ("filed upon") and those that were not ("declined"). Chi-square analyses were also utilized to compare changes in the frequency of assessment practices and evaluation characteristics over time.; Psychologists authored the majority of reports and offenders, who tended to be White, single, and male, were most frequently diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, substance use disorders, and pedophilia. The vast majority of evaluators assessed for psychopathy using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and additional psychological testing was conducted in 34% of evaluations, with the Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool-Revised (MnSOST-R) and Static-99 the most frequently utilized measures. Although evaluators identified a number of factors empirically associated with sexual recidivism, many also identified factors with little or no empirical support (i.e., denial of sexual offenses, lack of victim empathy). With regard to risk communication, categorical methods were most frequently utilized; time specifications and cautionary statements were rarely provided. Assessment practices generally remained consistent over time and results suggest improvement is necessary in the documentation of notification, relevance of psychological testing utilized, identification of empirically supported risk factors, risk communication, and substantiation of diagnostic and psycholegal conclusions. Inconsistent with similar research, no significant differences were found between filed upon and declined offenders, suggesting empirical attention to the decision-making process regarding filing of petitions alleging sexually violent predator status is warranted.