NCJ Number
155599
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1995 Pages: 19-22
Date Published
May 1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article highlights several illustrations of the predictive value of familial factors in assessing offender risk and need and examines the practical implications for correctional assessment, programming, and management.
Abstract
In exploring the predictive validity of familial variables, assessment information was obtained from the Level of Supervision Inventory, an objective risk/need classification instrument that was administered to 510 consecutive male offenders upon admission to the Ontario provincial correctional system. A series of correlational analyses were conducted between the four family variables assessed and selected prison and postrelease adjustment measures. The majority of the family variables were significantly associated with prison misconduct, return to prison, and parole violation. Although family predictors may individually have relatively weak relationships with future outcomes, better predictions can be made when they are examined as composites. The Correctional Service of Canada has developed a computerized means of monitoring the nature and level of familial factors identified for the entire institutional and conditional release population through the Offender Management System. National, regional, institutional, and field office overviews of the family background characteristics of the offender population at intake and/or conditional release can be generated and thereby equip correctional administrators and planners with valuable risk-management information. 4 tables and 7 footnotes