NCJ Number
187968
Date Published
2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the need for instruments designed to identify the needs distinctive to women offenders.
Abstract
Current research and specialist opinion dictates that the assessment of all inmates should conform to the principles of risk, need, responsivity, and professional discretion. Responsivity factors are those that may facilitate or hinder an individual's learning. Professional discretion pertains to the careful use of professional judgment to improve the assessment and management of risk. Although there is a paucity of research into the specific needs of female offenders, the research that has been conducted shows that female offenders have needs that differ from male offenders. There is a dearth of controlled-outcome research into specific gender responsivity factors. This implies that it is unreasonable to assume that assessment instruments, procedures, and therapeutic programs developed for male offenders are relevant or optimal for use in a female population. There are a number of generalist recidivism instruments that have been normed on female as well as male offenders. The Level of Service Inventory - Ontario Revised and the Community Risk Needs Management Scale are examples of such instruments. These dynamic risk assessment tools provide indications of reassessment needs as well as case needs. There is a need for an assessment instrument for women offenders that not only identifies traumas and resultant problems, but that also provides a more rounded view of the inmate that details her strengths and individual needs. This paper describes a Skills and Needs Inventory that describes coping strategies (positive and negative) used while in and out of conflict with the law. 14 references