Five-Year Accuracy of Assessments of High Risk for Sexual Recidivism of Adolescents

• NCJ Number: 229447
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 61-70
• Author(s): Michael P. Hagan; Debra L. Anderson; Melissa S. Caldwell; Therese S. Kemper
• Date Published: February 2010
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study looked at 12 juveniles in Wisconsin who were recommended by experts for commitment under Chapter 980, known as the Sexually Violent Person Commitments Act, but who ultimately were not committed.

Abstract

The purpose was to determine the accuracy of these assessments and risk for sexual reoffending for juvenile sexual offenders. The results found a rate of 42 percent sexual recidivism among these individuals, with a 5-year at-risk period. This figure is in contrast to the low rates of sexual recidivism reported in the general juvenile sexual research. This provides evidence that the capability to assess the risk in juvenile sexual re-offending may at times be higher than previously estimated. Implications of these unusual results are discussed. (Publisher Abstract)