Importance of Co-Convictions in the Prediction of Dangerous Recidivism: Blackmail and Kidnapping as a Demonstration Study

• NCJ Number: 230023
• Journal: Criminology & Criminal Justice Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 23-36
• Author(s): Keith Soothill; Brian Francis; Jiayi Liu
• Date Published: February 2010
• Length: 14 pages
• Grant Number(s): RES-576-25-5020; RES-576-25-0019
• Sponsoring Agency: British Economic and Social Research Council
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study examined co-convictions in regards to predicting serious recidivism.

Abstract

Co-convictions are court convictions made at the same time as a more serious conviction. Their importance has been little recognized. This study investigates their value using data on two separate serious crimes. Taking official conviction careers in England and Wales (1979-2001) for blackmail (n = 5774) and kidnapping offenders (n = 7291), the study considered how much information on co-convictions is normally overlooked, and how knowledge of co-convictions contributes to predicting serious recidivism. The study identified that co-convictions were pervasive, with 54 percent of convictions for blackmail and 77 percent for kidnapping having co-convictions. Co-convictions provided extra explanatory power in predicting the risk of a subsequent sexual or violent offence for both blackmail and kidnapping. For blackmail, most types of co-conviction were associated with a significantly raised relative risk, whereas for kidnapping, only co-convictions which were not acquisitive, sexual or violent had a significantly raised relative risk. The authors concluded that co-convictions are a useful measure of short-term specialization and are important when predicting serious recidivism. 1 figure, 4 tables, 5 notes, and 22 references (Published Abstract)