Examining the Incidence of and Time to Recidivism Within the Risk Contingency Framework: A 20-Year Follow up Study

This study examined the extent to which the contingencies risk framework (consisting of dispositional, historical, contextual, and clinical domains) predicted detected recidivism (i.e., arrest or conviction). Secondary data were extracted on 413 prisoners who underwent a psychiatric evaluation, were assessed on the risk domains, and followed up over 20 years. There were 273 (66.1%) cases of recidivism for serious offenses (e.g., assaults). Criminal career outcomes examined included: years to and the incidence of recidivism. Statistics showed that chance classification of the incidence of recidivism was 21% more accurate for the recursive partitioning than the bilinear model. These results are consistent with the contingencies risk framework, support its use over linear models, and highlight its predictive utility.     

Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence Amongst Women of Reproductive Age in Lagos,Nigeria: Prevalence and Predictors

Research on predictors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Sub-Saharan Africa is contradictory, necessitating further investigation. This study sought the prevalence and predictors of IPV among women in Lagos, Nigeria. Questionnaire data from 934 women visiting an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Lagos were analyzed using multivariable methods. The 1 year prevalence of IPV was 29%, with significant proportions reporting psychological (23%), physical (9%) and sexual (8%) abuse. In-access to information, women’s autonomy and contribution to household expenses independently predicted IPV. The findings provide new incites for IPV prevention in Lagos with implications for further research.     

HOT BLOCKING

Hot blocking is a crime mapping method that highlights sections of road （or blocks） where the risk of crime is the highest. This paper demonstrates how hot blocking was used to support Operation Trafalgar; a police led operation intended to reduce crime rates in the west end of London in 2012. The case study below sets out how hot blocking was used to rapidly generate geographic intelligence suggesting where and when police should be deployed to reduce violent crime and disorder. Hot blocking is a relatively straightforward crime mapping method to replicate. The technical guidance provided in this paper demonstrates that hot blocking can be delivered with standard analytical software and in time limited scenarios. The results of hot blocking should, however,     

Decision to Know: City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge v. Stephen C. Myers

Abstract

Stephen Myers was leasing a single‐family residential property in an area zoned A‐1 within the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to four unrelated persons. Per Baton Rouge’s Unified Development Code (UDC) a “family” is defined as “an individual or two (2) or more persons who are related by blood, marriage or legal adoption living together . . . or not more than two (2) persons, or not more than four (4) persons (provided the owner lives on the premises rpar; living together by joint agreement. . . . ” (Myers at 9). In response, the city brought the action seeking to compel Myers to cease his alleged violation of the UDC, and Myers made a reconventional demand alleging the UDC’s definition of family was unconstitutional.     

The effectiveness of mediation: An independent analysis of cases handled by four major service providers

A study of 449 cases administered by four major providers of ADR services showed that mediation was capable of settling 78 percent of cases, regardless of whether the parties had been sent to mediation by a court or had selected the process voluntarily. Mediation also cost far less than arbitration, took less time, and was judged a more satisfactory process than arbitration.Jeanne M. Brett is the DeWitt W. Buchanan, Jr. Professor of Dispute Resolution and Organizations at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. 60208