NCJ Number
129244
Journal
American Journal of Forensic Psychology Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (1990) Pages: 47-60
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The article presents the results of a study designed specifically to evaluate the predictive validity of parole recommendations made by a panel of independent forensic clinician experts and to determine those factors used in successful predictions.
Abstract
Sixty-nine cases were randomly selected from Canadian case files of parole applicants transferred to a forensic unit in a hospital for clinical examination and parole recommendations. Results indicated that the parole board agreed with the recommendations 81 percent of the time. Of the 39 applicants recommended for parole, 18 were granted parole with no recidivism seen. Another eight were originally denied parole by the board against the recommendations but have since been paroled with no problems reported. Of the four prisoners paroled against the forensic experts' recommendations, three have had parole revoked and one refused parole. The article concludes with a discussion on precipitating factors to the offenses and on clinical and other factors influencing the opinions and recommendations of the forensic experts. 3 tables, 1 footnote, author notes, and 21 references (Author abstract modified)