Georgia F. Cumming’s research while affiliated with The Department of Corrections and other places

Contemporary views on sex offender treatment planning suggest that therapist and client collaboration may enhance treatment outcomes, but little research has examined this topic. The use of dynamic risk assessment instruments may provide insight into what criminogenic needs should be focused on for clients in sex offender treatment. Here, we compared therapist and client (N D 80) mid-treatment assessment scores on the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) in a prison-based treatment program for adult male sex offenders. The SOTIPS is 16-item dynamic assessment measure of treatment needs and progress that was designed to be scored at intake and thereafter as often as every six months on a four-point scale. Data were collected following the completion of SOTIPS as a group treatment exercise. Although there were significant overall differences in SOTIPS scores between therapists and clients (t(79) D 6.50, p < .001; d D 1.03), SOTIPS scores related to criminality, social stability and supports, and sexual deviance showed substantial (ICC D 0.75, p < .001), moderate (ICC D 0.59, p < .001), and fair (ICC D 0.23, p < .05) correlations, respectfully. Using partial correlations, controlling for static risk showed no impact on these relationships. Findings are discussed in light of the experiences of therapists. This study suggests that the SOTIPS provides a useful framework for therapists to engage clients in a collaborative process of identifying clients’ strengths, potential treatment needs, and treatment progress.

Contemporary views on sex offender treatment planning suggest that therapist and client collaboration may enhance treatment outcomes, but little research has examined this topic. The use of dynamic risk assessment instruments may provide insight into what criminogenic needs should be focused on for clients in sex offender treatment. Here, we compared therapist and client (N D 80) mid-treatment assessment scores on the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) in a prison-based treatment program for adult male sex offenders. The SOTIPS is 16-item dynamic assessment measure of treatment needs and progress that was designed to be scored at intake and thereafter as often as every six months on a four-point scale. Data were collected following the completion of SOTIPS as a group treatment exercise. Although there were significant overall differences in SOTIPS scores between therapists and clients (t(79)D 6.50, p< .001; dD 1.03), SOTIPS scores related to criminality, social stability and supports, and sexual deviance showed substantial (ICCD 0.75,p< .001), moderate (ICCD 0.59,p< .001), and fair (ICCD 0.23, p < .05) correlations, respectfully. Using partial correlations, controlling for static risk showed no impact on these relationships. Findings are discussed in light of the experiences of therapists. This study suggests that the SOTIPS provides a useful framework for therapists to engage clients in a collaborative process of indentifying clients’ strengths, potential treatment needs, and treatment progress.

Three studies conducted in Vermont yielded data on 82 sexual recidivists’ index offenses (Time 1) and sexual reoffenses (Time 2) across 16 modus operandi (MO) characteristics. The current study examines the stability of these 16 characteristics between Time 1 and Time 2 offenses. Probabilities of Time 1–Time 2 characteristic combinations are reported, including when controlling for static risk as measured by the Static-99R and Vermont Assessment of Sex Offender Risk–2 (VASOR-2). Overall, considerable stability of offenders’ MO was evident between Time 1 and Time 2 offenses. Victim characteristics and offense behaviors were the most stable MO characteristics, and degree of force used and victim injury were less stable and trended toward less forceful and less injurious reoffenses. Controlling for static risk had little impact on the patterns of MO stability.

Three studies conducted in Vermont yielded data on 82 sexual recidivists’ index offenses (Time 1) and sexual reoffenses (Time 2) across 16 modus operandi (MO) characteristics. The current study examines the stability of these 16 characteristics between Time 1 and Time 2 offenses. Probabilities of Time 1–Time 2 characteristic combinations are reported, including when controlling for static risk as measured by the Static-99R and Vermont Assessment of Sex Offender Risk–2 (VASOR-2). Overall, considerable stability of offenders’ MO was evident between Time 1 and Time 2 offenses. Victim characteristics and offense behaviors were the most stable MO characteristics, and degree of force used and victim injury were less stable and trended toward less forceful and less injurious reoffenses. Controlling for static risk had little impact on the patterns of MO stability.

The Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) is a 16-item statistically-derived dynamic measure designed to aid clinicians, correctional caseworkers, and probation and parole officers in assessing risk, treatment and supervision needs, and progress among adult male sex offenders. This manual describes how the SOTIPS is constructed, scored, and interpreted. The manual also describes the instrument’s target population, psychometric properties, and changes from the last version.

The present study aimed to revise the Vermont Assessment of Sex Offender Risk (VASOR) Reoffense Risk Scale, a commonly used sex offender risk assessment tool. The revised tool was named the VASOR-2. Among models tested to revise the scale, a logistic regression model showed the best balance between simplicity of use, goodness of fit, and internal validity (as tested with K-10 cross-validation), and maximized predictive accuracy. Predictive accuracy was tested using four meta-analytically combined data sets drawn from Canada and Vermont (N = 1,581). At 5-year fixed follow-up, the predictive accuracy for sexual recidivism for VASOR-2 (AUC = .74) was similar to the VASOR (AUC = .71). The findings show the VASOR-2 is well calibrated with observed recidivism rates for all but the highest risk sex offenders. The instrument showed good interrater reliability (ICC = .88). An advantage of the VASOR-2 is that it has fewer items and simpler scoring instructions than the VASOR. Norms are presented for a contemporary, nonselected, routine sample of Vermont sex offenders (n = 887).

The Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) is a 16-item rating scale designed to assess dynamic risk among adult male sex offenders and degree of change at 6-month intervals during treatment. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the SOTIPS in a construction sample of 759 adult male sex offenders who were under correctional supervision and enrolled in cognitive-behavioral community treatment in Vermont between 2001 and 2007. The scale showed acceptable interrater reliability. SOTIPS scores at 1, 7, and 13 months after participants began treatment predicted sexual, violent, and any recidivism, and return to prison at fixed 1- and 3-year follow-up periods (AUCs = .60 to .85). Combined SOTIPS and Static-99R scores predicted all recidivism types (AUCs = .67 to .89) and outperformed either instrument alone when both instruments had similar predictive power. Participants who demonstrated treatment progress, as reflected by reductions in SOTIPS scores, showed lower rates of recidivism than those who did not.

The Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) is a 16-item rating scale designed to assess dynamic risk among adult male sex offenders and degree of change at 6-month intervals during treatment. The purpose of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the SOTIPS in a construction sample of 759 adult male sex offenders who were under correctional supervision and enrolled in cognitive-behavioral community treatment in Vermont between 2001 and 2007. The scale showed acceptable interrater reliability. SOTIPS scores at 1, 7, and 13 months after participants began treatment predicted sexual, violent, and any recidivism, and return to prison at fixed 1- and 3-year follow-up periods (AUCs = .60 to .85). Combined SOTIPS and Static-99R scores predicted all recidivism types (AUCs = .67 to .89) and outperformed either instrument alone when both instruments had similar predictive power. Participants who demonstrated treatment progress, as reflected by reductions in SOTIPS scores, showed lower rates of recidivism than those who did not.