NCJ Number
180252
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study commissioned by the Scottish Office and the British Home Office reviewed current classification systems of sex offenders with a view to recommending schemes that will be reliable, efficient, pertinent to a large number of offenders, and inexpensive and simple to administer.
Abstract
The review of existing classification schemes examines the relevant literature, distinguishes between various types of classification for sex offenders, explains their basis and the nature of the populations on which they were developed, and provides a critical assessment of the efficacy of classification systems for sex offenders. The report discusses the implications that have arisen, or are likely to arise, from the use of classification systems for sex offenders. The review further identifies candidate systems, together with any necessary pre-testing development work required. The report concludes that none of the existing classification systems reviewed complied with the requirements of being reliable, efficient, pertinent to a large number of offenders, and simple to administer. The report advises, however, that some of the classification systems could be developed further in order to test their potential. Also, the development of a risk-of-reconviction predictor for sex offenders might be commissioned; and panels of criminal justice professionals might be established to assess sex offenders and suggest the most appropriate methods of dealing with them. Prior to any further work in this area, it is imperative that decisions be made about the objectives of any classification systems that might be developed. The key objective for classifying offenders at present is to assess their risk of further offending. Classification concerned with appropriate sentence, level of sentence, and form of treatment could follow from this initial assessment. 1 table and 10 references