NCJ Number
199222
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 49-51
Date Published
September 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This study examined the discriminatory capacity of the Correctional Service of Canada's (CSC's) Reintegration Potential Reassessment (RPR) in order to validate its use with Aboriginal offenders.
Abstract
The RPR is used to assist in offender reintegration. Although it has been proven to predict reoffending, the validity of the RPR has not been assessed for Aboriginal offenders. In addition to examining the validity of the RPR for use with Aboriginal offenders, this article also discusses specific variables that may enhance Aboriginal offender reintegration. The sample for this analysis consisted of 30,041 cases of male offenders who were released on day parole, full parole, or statutory release between January 1996 and June 2000. Of these cases, 84 percent involved the release of non-Aboriginal offenders, and 16 percent of those released (n=4,819) were Aboriginal offenders. These cases were followed for up to 3 years to identify any readmissions to Federal custody. These data were obtained from the CSC Offender Management System. A second source of data was a study conducted by Johnston that focused on 518 randomly chosen Aboriginal offenders in 1996, representing approximately one-third of all incarcerated Aboriginal offenders. The analyses confirmed other studies in finding statistically significant differences in the profiles of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders in Federal institutions. Aboriginal offenders were more likely to be classified as high risk and as having high needs. Larger proportions of Aboriginal offenders were readmitted to a Federal institution compared with non-Aboriginal offenders. Within a 6-month period, 18 percent of Aboriginal offenders were readmitted compared with 11 percent of non-Aboriginal offenders. These differences remained for longer follow-up periods (33 percent versus 20 percent for a 1-year follow-up period). Apparently the RPR is predictive of community supervision outcome for Aboriginal offenders; however, the analyses support the hypothesis that weighting based on standardized regression coefficients, and taking into account the best predictors identified for Aboriginal offenders, could be promising for improving the RPR's predictive capacity for the Aboriginal offender population. Attention should be given to the relevance of adding the age variable to enhance the predictive value of reintegration potential for Aboriginal offenders, since younger Aboriginal offenders are more likely to reoffend. Data from Johnston's study permitted analyses of a number of areas that may be related to recidivism and/or reintegration into society for Aboriginal offenders. These variables include attendance at a residential school, participation in cultural or spiritual activities, the use of traditional Aboriginal services such as Elders, Aboriginal Liaison Officers and mentoring, and participation in Aboriginal-only programs. 3 tables and 6 notes