The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 2014
This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Hare Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (Hare ... more This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Hare Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (Hare SRP) and the short form of the measure in a UK prison sample, using the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) as a reference measure. The Hare SRP and PCL-R were compared for 107 UK adult male prisoners. The SRP and SRP-SF total scores depicted excellent levels of internal consistency and homogeneity and correlated with each other with significant and large effects sizes. Total scores correlated with PCL-R total scores producing medium effect sizes and were significantly predictive of PCL-R total scores with small effect sizes. Implications for practice are discussed.
This chapter describes the assessment process around the 'what works' approach ... more This chapter describes the assessment process around the 'what works' approach for sexual offenders, where treatment is administered according to the level of an offender's risk, criminogenic needs, and responsivity/intra-individual characteristics, which may influence treatment.
Among a number of widely used risk assessment instruments with adult sexual offenders, the Minnes... more Among a number of widely used risk assessment instruments with adult sexual offenders, the Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool-Revised (MnSOST-R) has been subject to relatively few evaluation studies. Only two independent research groups have published replication studies in the peer-reviewed literature with data not provided by the MnSOST-R's developers, and the results regarding the accuracy of predicting sexual recidivism have been mixed. In this article, important differences between the Barbaree et al. and Langton et al. studies are presented. Analyses reported for the various subsets comprising these two samples indicate that coding discrepancies in the Barbaree et al. study account for the different findings, with a moderate level of predictive accuracy using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve ultimately found for the MnSOST-R in both data sets.
54 ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF SEX OFFENDERS In contrast, clinical judgement may allow a decision... more 54 ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF SEX OFFENDERS In contrast, clinical judgement may allow a decision to be made at an ideographic level, but until recently has been less well informed by research. Although a new generation of guided clinical judgement measures in the ...
The relationship between sexual recidivism and posttreatment denial and minimization was examined... more The relationship between sexual recidivism and posttreatment denial and minimization was examined among 436 sex offenders followed up for an average period of more than 5 years. Treatment completion status and psychopathic traits, both established predictors of sexual ...
This study examined the relationship between recidivism and ratings of response to specialized co... more This study examined the relationship between recidivism and ratings of response to specialized cognitive behavioral treatment conducted in a prison setting among 418 sex offenders released to the community for an average follow-up period of over 5 years. As well as testing for a main effect for treatment ratings, the potential role of psychopathy assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised (PCL-R) as a moderator of response to treatment was investigated. Ratings of response to treatment failed to predict either serious (violent including sexual) or sexual recidivism. For the more inclusive outcome of serious recidivism, there was no significant interaction between psychopathy and treatment ratings; however, the ubiquitous effect of psychopathy on recidivism was found to be significant. For sexual recidivism, psychopathy was not significant as a main effect, but a significant interaction between psychopathy and treatment ratings was found. Among sex offenders with PCL-R scores of 25 or higher, those with ratings reflecting a more negative response to treatment recidivated sexually at a faster rate than others. This interaction effect was not significant when treatment noncompleters were removed from the data set. The results were discussed in terms of the methodology involved in the assessment of response to treatment among sex offenders.
Psychometric properties were reported for the Static-2002 using a sample of 464 sexual offenders ... more Psychometric properties were reported for the Static-2002 using a sample of 464 sexual offenders followed for an average of 5.9 years after release. Correlations between theoretically relevant variables (using indices of lifestyle instability, sexual deviance, psychopathy) and the ...
The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 2014
This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Hare Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (Hare ... more This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Hare Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (Hare SRP) and the short form of the measure in a UK prison sample, using the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) as a reference measure. The Hare SRP and PCL-R were compared for 107 UK adult male prisoners. The SRP and SRP-SF total scores depicted excellent levels of internal consistency and homogeneity and correlated with each other with significant and large effects sizes. Total scores correlated with PCL-R total scores producing medium effect sizes and were significantly predictive of PCL-R total scores with small effect sizes. Implications for practice are discussed.
This chapter describes the assessment process around the 'what works' approach ... more This chapter describes the assessment process around the 'what works' approach for sexual offenders, where treatment is administered according to the level of an offender's risk, criminogenic needs, and responsivity/intra-individual characteristics, which may influence treatment.
Among a number of widely used risk assessment instruments with adult sexual offenders, the Minnes... more Among a number of widely used risk assessment instruments with adult sexual offenders, the Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool-Revised (MnSOST-R) has been subject to relatively few evaluation studies. Only two independent research groups have published replication studies in the peer-reviewed literature with data not provided by the MnSOST-R's developers, and the results regarding the accuracy of predicting sexual recidivism have been mixed. In this article, important differences between the Barbaree et al. and Langton et al. studies are presented. Analyses reported for the various subsets comprising these two samples indicate that coding discrepancies in the Barbaree et al. study account for the different findings, with a moderate level of predictive accuracy using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve ultimately found for the MnSOST-R in both data sets.
54 ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF SEX OFFENDERS In contrast, clinical judgement may allow a decision... more 54 ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF SEX OFFENDERS In contrast, clinical judgement may allow a decision to be made at an ideographic level, but until recently has been less well informed by research. Although a new generation of guided clinical judgement measures in the ...
The relationship between sexual recidivism and posttreatment denial and minimization was examined... more The relationship between sexual recidivism and posttreatment denial and minimization was examined among 436 sex offenders followed up for an average period of more than 5 years. Treatment completion status and psychopathic traits, both established predictors of sexual ...
This study examined the relationship between recidivism and ratings of response to specialized co... more This study examined the relationship between recidivism and ratings of response to specialized cognitive behavioral treatment conducted in a prison setting among 418 sex offenders released to the community for an average follow-up period of over 5 years. As well as testing for a main effect for treatment ratings, the potential role of psychopathy assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised (PCL-R) as a moderator of response to treatment was investigated. Ratings of response to treatment failed to predict either serious (violent including sexual) or sexual recidivism. For the more inclusive outcome of serious recidivism, there was no significant interaction between psychopathy and treatment ratings; however, the ubiquitous effect of psychopathy on recidivism was found to be significant. For sexual recidivism, psychopathy was not significant as a main effect, but a significant interaction between psychopathy and treatment ratings was found. Among sex offenders with PCL-R scores of 25 or higher, those with ratings reflecting a more negative response to treatment recidivated sexually at a faster rate than others. This interaction effect was not significant when treatment noncompleters were removed from the data set. The results were discussed in terms of the methodology involved in the assessment of response to treatment among sex offenders.
Psychometric properties were reported for the Static-2002 using a sample of 464 sexual offenders ... more Psychometric properties were reported for the Static-2002 using a sample of 464 sexual offenders followed for an average of 5.9 years after release. Correlations between theoretically relevant variables (using indices of lifestyle instability, sexual deviance, psychopathy) and the ...
Harkins, L., & Dixon, L. (2012). A Multi-Factorial Approach to Understanding Multiple Perpetrator Sexual Offending. In T. Gannon and J. Wood (Eds.), Group Processes and Aggression, p.75-95. Devon: Willan
Tew, J., Harkins, L. & Dixon, L. (2012). Investigating changes in anger and aggression in offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits attending the Chromis violence reduction programme. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 22, 191 – 201
Background Chromis was accredited by the Correction Services Accreditation Panel in 2005 as an in... more Background Chromis was accredited by the Correction Services Accreditation Panel in 2005 as an intervention designed to reduce violence in offenders whose level or combination of psychopathic traits disrupts their ability to engage in treatment and change. It runs as part of the regime in the dangerous and severe personality disorder unit in HM Prison Frankland (Westgate). A multiple case study investigation into changes over time in participants is currently underway, part of which is reported here.
Aims This paper reports on information relating to changes in anger and aggression in Chromis completers.
Methods Change in psychometrics and observed incidents of verbal and physical aggression are considered for five case study participants who have completed Chromis and progressed from Westgate to a different location.
Results Findings suggest that cases experienced a reduction in self reported anger, and expected incidents of physical aggression but had higher than expected levels of verbal aggression after leaving Westgate.
Conclusions These findings offer cautious optimism for the effectiveness of Chromis, although methodological limitations must also be considered. Findings may be seen as positive indicators of Chromis, or at least the approach to working with these offenders across Westgate, in reducing violence.
Harkins, L. & Dixon, L. (2010). Sexual offending in groups: An evaluation. Journal of Aggression and Violent Behavior, 15, 87-99
This review provides a current description of a number of contexts in which multiple perpetrator ... more This review provides a current description of a number of contexts in which multiple perpetrator sexual offending occurs. Specifically, seven sub-categories of offences are examined under two main themes of ‘rape of peers/adults’ and ‘multiple perpetrator offenses against children.’ This is complimented by a discussion of psychological theories and factors that contribute to the understanding of multiple perpetrator sexual offenses within a multifactorial framework. Individual, sociocultural and situational levels are examined to provide an explanation for the commitment of sexual offenses with others, with particular emphasis on theories and processes of group aggression. This review provides tentative ideas to stimulate thought and further research in this area
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Papers by Leigh Harkins
Aims This paper reports on information relating to changes in anger and aggression in Chromis completers.
Methods Change in psychometrics and observed incidents of verbal and physical aggression are considered for five case study participants who have completed Chromis and progressed from Westgate to a different location.
Results Findings suggest that cases experienced a reduction in self reported anger, and expected incidents of physical aggression but had higher than expected levels of verbal aggression after leaving Westgate.
Conclusions These findings offer cautious optimism for the effectiveness of Chromis, although methodological limitations must also be considered. Findings may be seen as positive indicators of Chromis, or at least the approach to working with these offenders across Westgate, in reducing violence.