Criminal Recidivism Among Juvenile Offenders: Testing the Incremental and Predictive Validity of Three Measures of Psychopathic Features

We studied the predictive, comparative, and incremental validity of three measures of psychopathic features (Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version [PCL:YV]; Antisocial Process Screening Device [APSD]; Childhood Psychopathy Scale [CPS]) vis-à-vis criminal recidivism among 83 delinquent youth within a truly prospective design. Bivariate and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazard analyses) showed that of the three measures, the CPS was most consistently related to most types of recidivism in comparison to the other measures. However, incremental validity analyses demonstrated that all of the predictive effects for the measures of psychopathic features disappeared after conceptually relevant covariates (i.e., substance use, conduct disorder, young age, past property crime) were included in multivariate predictive models. Implications for the limits of these measures in applied juvenile justice assessment are discussed.     

An Indepth Actuarial Assessment for Wife Assault Recidivism: The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Domestic Violence Risk Appraisal Guide</Emphasis>

An actuarial tool, the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA), predicts recidivism using only variables readily obtained by frontline police officers. Correctional settings permit more comprehensive assessments. In a subset of ODARA construction and cross-validation cases, 303 men with a police record for wife assault and a correctional system file, the VRAG, SARA, Danger Assessment, and DVSI also predicted recidivism, but the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) best improved prediction of recidivism, occurrence, frequency, severity, injury, and charges. In 346 new cases, ODARA and PCL-R independently predicted recidivism. An algorithm was derived for a combined instrument, the Domestic Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (DVRAG), and an experience table is presented (N=649). Results indicated the importance of antisociality in wife assault.     

Virtual reality: a use case for criminal justice practice

ABSTRACT

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) technology has convincingly demonstrated its potential for assessment, training, rehabilitation and treatment purposes in a variety of domains, including (mental) healthcare and education. This paper explores the possibilities for VR application within criminal justice practice. Criminological literature and literature of related disciplines on VR applications were reviewed with a special focus on risk assessment, correctional rehabilitation, and reintegration. We also devoted attention to the VR-based treatment of anxiety-related disorders among victims of crime. Literature shows that VR can provide safe learning environments that would otherwise involve risk, generate ethical and ecologically valid virtual alternatives for which real-life situations would be unethical to use, and develop environments that are impossible to create in the real life. These unique characteristics make VR a promising tool to expand the current toolbox of risk assessment instruments, and correctional rehabilitation and reintegration programs in important ways. Before implementing VR in criminal justice practice, an elementary understanding of both the advantages and disadvantages of VR technology is desirable but given a longstanding and effective VR tradition in other domains, the future of VR in criminal justice practice is bright.     

The predictive validity of youth violence risk assessment tools: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

This paper reports the findings of a systematic search of published literature which reports the predictive validity of violence risk assessment tools specifically designed for use with youth. A total of 38 studies, involving 9,307 participants, reported data for six different tools; the most common of which were the SAVRY and the YLS/CMI. Each of the tools demonstrated at least moderate levels of predictive validity, with the predictive validity of several newer assessment tools yet to be established. The results provide an up-to-date overview of the state of knowledge in an area in which practitioners make choices about which tools to use on an almost daily basis. It is important that practitioners are aware of the strength of evidence that is available to support the choice of violence risk assessment tools and the interpretation of results.     

对目前我国禁吸戒毒工作的思考

禁吸戒毒工作是一项艰巨的社会工程 ,需要全社会的共同参与和支持 ,面对当前禁吸工作的新形势 ,我们应该多进行总结和反思 :一是重视经济与教育问题的影响 ;二是加快规范中小学生毒品预防教育 ;三是改变人们对吸毒人员的敌视和歧视态度 ;四是加强戒毒所的规范化建设 ;五是构建戒毒工作标准和评价体系 ;六是建立戒毒后续治疗和帮抚体系等六个方面。     

斯威顿耕作方式的实存及其价值评估

本文认为“现代化”的胜利 ,并不一定会导致人类多元文化并存的终结。相反 ,在“现代化”进程中不断地强化了多元文化 ,各民族的经济生活方式不会因此而消失。族际经济生活方式差异并不是简单地等于“先进”与“落后”、“强势与弱势”的线性关系 ,而是包含着其类型与样式系统复合性的综合差异 ,使之构成与其生境 (自然环境与社会环境 )相适应的文化结构逻辑关系。纵然在族群互动中发生了一系列变迁 ,但族际经济生活的差异从文化底蕴中仍然可以看到其经济生活的差异的存在。本文对西南地区从事斯威顿耕作经济生活方式的实存研究出发 ,对其价值进行了评估。这些评估指标的建立对于分析不同类型、不同样式的族际经济生活方式有一定的代表性     

切实加强和改善高校财务预算管理

预算管理是高等院校内部财务控制的重要手段之一。进一步加强高等院校预算管理,应当在思想上高度重视,科学确定内部预算管理体制,认真做好预算的编制、执行和调整工作,改善对预算的考核与评价。     

检视与重塑:从工商注册登记情况看环评工作执行力不足

环境影响评价工作是国家赋予环保部门的一项重要职责。国务院1998年颁布的《建设项目环境保护管理条例》和山东省2006年3月1日起实施的《山东省实施〈中华人民共和国环境影响评价法〉办法》确定了环评与工商注册登记联动制度,规定了办理营业执照前应报批环评审批手续。但通过对历下区工商登记注册环评情况的调研分析,目前该项制度的执行还存在很多困难和不足之处,故亟待认清现状、正视困难,提出环评工作改进的方向和对策。     

A systems analysis of youth in acute and subacute therapeutic residential care

The Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has reduced the use of therapeutic residential care (e.g., group homes, residential treatment centers) for youth placed in child welfare. Youth in acute or subacute congregate care for 30 or more days without Medicaid now are of particular interest. This is a longer-term psychiatric program, typically 3 to 6 months. The project team conducted a systems analysis to determine the specific characteristics and levels of need for 42 youth so that DCFS can more effectively serve these youth in the least restrictive form of treatment possible.     

东京基于社区的地震灾害危险度评估:做法与特点

东京在实践中逐步建立了一套基于社区的地震灾害危险度评估体系,以东京各町丁目为评估对象,通过对建筑物危险度、火灾危险度和应急避难危险度进行分类评估,得出各地的综合危险度,为防灾减灾工作提供科学依据.东京基于社区的地震灾害危险度评估具有如下特点:以巨灾为重点,积极开展强烈地震发生后不同地区的危险度评估;以综合为目标,全面评估强烈地震等巨灾对经济社会产生的综合影响;以专项为基础,深入评估震后建筑物、火灾、避难等各类风险;以公开为动力,大力提高全社会的风险防范意识和应急处置能力.