(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved How to Protect your Client from Bad Risk...
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Transcript of (C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved How to Protect your Client from Bad Risk...
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
How to Protect your How to Protect your Client from Bad Risk Client from Bad Risk
AssessmentsAssessmentsThomas A. Powell, Ph.D.Thomas A. Powell, Ph.D.
John C. Holt, Ph.D.John C. Holt, Ph.D.Vermont Forensic Assessment, Vermont Forensic Assessment, PLLCPLLC
Shelburne, VermontShelburne, Vermont
June 12, 2008June 12, 2008
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
OutlineOutline
How things are supposed to workHow things are supposed to work
Static and dynamic measure of any Static and dynamic measure of any type of criminal recidivism and type of criminal recidivism and offender needsoffender needs Level of Service Inventory - RevisedLevel of Service Inventory - Revised Assessment perspectiveAssessment perspective Risk principleRisk principle Need principleNeed principle Responsivity principleResponsivity principle
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
OutlineOutline Static actuarial measures of sexual Static actuarial measures of sexual
recidivism riskrecidivism risk STATIC-99STATIC-99 RRASORRRASOR VASORVASOR
Dynamic measures of sexual recidivism Dynamic measures of sexual recidivism riskrisk
SONARSONAR STABLE/ACUTESTABLE/ACUTE Treatment Progress ScaleTreatment Progress Scale
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
OutlineOutlineAdditional topics of interestAdditional topics of interest
The use of multiple risk instruments: Static 99, The use of multiple risk instruments: Static 99, RRASOR RRASOR andand VASOR as policy VASOR as policy
““Denial” - a misleading predicator of recidivism.Denial” - a misleading predicator of recidivism.
Conflict of interest by assessors and treatment Conflict of interest by assessors and treatment providers.providers.
The DOC case staffing: The DOC case staffing: Salem Witch TrialsSalem Witch Trials redux?redux?
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
How Things are Supposed to WorkHow Things are Supposed to Work
PSI preparation - Policy 342.01 PSI preparation - Policy 342.01 (rev. (rev. 4/9/07)4/9/07) http://doc.vermont.gov/about/policies/rphttp://doc.vermont.gov/about/policies/rp
d/final_commissioner-signed_psi_3.22.07d/final_commissioner-signed_psi_3.22.07.pdf.pdf
Prescriptive formatPrescriptive format Defines LSI-R as “an objective, Defines LSI-R as “an objective,
quantifiable instrument that provides a quantifiable instrument that provides a consistent and valid method of consistent and valid method of predicting risk to re-offend and a reliable predicting risk to re-offend and a reliable means of measuring offedner change means of measuring offedner change over time …”over time …”
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
How Things are Supposed to WorkHow Things are Supposed to Work
RRASOR: “a four-item actuarial risk measure RRASOR: “a four-item actuarial risk measure used to aid in assessing sexual recidivism risk used to aid in assessing sexual recidivism risk …”…”
Static-99: “… a 10-item actuarial risk measure Static-99: “… a 10-item actuarial risk measure is used in a similar manner as the RRASOR.”is used in a similar manner as the RRASOR.”
VASOR: “a risk assessment scale … designed VASOR: “a risk assessment scale … designed to assist PO’s in making placement and to assist PO’s in making placement and supervision decisions.”supervision decisions.”
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
How Things are Supposed to WorkHow Things are Supposed to Work
““A PSI provides the sentencing judge … with A PSI provides the sentencing judge … with relevant information on which to base a relevant information on which to base a sentencing decision. It also reflects a sentencing decision. It also reflects a professional judgment of and assessment by professional judgment of and assessment by the DOC regarding risk management of the the DOC regarding risk management of the defendant.”defendant.”
““The PSI investigator can use information The PSI investigator can use information collected during the PSI, particularly during collected during the PSI, particularly during the defendant interview, to complete the defendant interview, to complete necessary risk assessment tools, e.g. the necessary risk assessment tools, e.g. the LSI-R.”LSI-R.”
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
How Things are Supposed to WorkHow Things are Supposed to Work
““Provide a narrative explanation of the numerical Provide a narrative explanation of the numerical results of assessment tools (e.g. LSI-R), including results of assessment tools (e.g. LSI-R), including an examination of key risk areas and a summary an examination of key risk areas and a summary of any court-ordered clinical assessments.”of any court-ordered clinical assessments.”
““Briefly summarize the major points of the report Briefly summarize the major points of the report …”…”
““The report will conclude with a recommendation The report will conclude with a recommendation … based upon the defendant’s offense, … based upon the defendant’s offense, background and assessed risk.”background and assessed risk.”
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
How Things are Supposed to WorkHow Things are Supposed to Work
““Note: Only if requested by the CourtNote: Only if requested by the Court, , the PSI investigator will include a the PSI investigator will include a recommended minimum and maximum recommended minimum and maximum term of incarceration or a minimum and term of incarceration or a minimum and maximum term of suspended sentence.” maximum term of suspended sentence.” (emphasis (emphasis notnot added by us) added by us)
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
General Risk Assessment General Risk Assessment Level of Service Inventory - RevisedLevel of Service Inventory - Revised
Criminal HistoryCriminal History Education/EmploymentEducation/Employment FinancialFinancial Family/MaritalFamily/Marital Accommodation (the influence of address)Accommodation (the influence of address) Leisure/Recreation (spare time use)Leisure/Recreation (spare time use) Companions (friends and associates)Companions (friends and associates) Alcohol/Drugs (mostly looking at past year)Alcohol/Drugs (mostly looking at past year) Emotional/Personal (psychological status)Emotional/Personal (psychological status) Attitudes/Orientation (antisocial/prosocial views)Attitudes/Orientation (antisocial/prosocial views)
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
ASSESSMENT PERSPECTIVE
Prediction2
1
Time
1: Primary objective is to understand factors linked to future behavior
2: Ultimate assessment objective is to estimate future behavior
Simourd, D.J. (1999, May), On a general forensic evaluation model: A practicalframework for offender assessment. Paper presented at the annual meeting of theCanadian Psychological Association, Halifax, N.S.
EnvironmentalContingencies
Ps ychologicalPredis pos ition
As s es s ment Behavior
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Risk PrincipleRisk Principle
1.1. Reserve intensive levels of Reserve intensive levels of corrections supervision and corrections supervision and treatment for higher risk cases.treatment for higher risk cases.
2.2. Do not use these levels of Do not use these levels of supervision and treatment for lower supervision and treatment for lower risk cases.risk cases.
3.3. Use of valid and reliable risk Use of valid and reliable risk assessment tools gives the criminal assessment tools gives the criminal justice system a triage capability.justice system a triage capability.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Need PrincipleNeed Principle
1.1. There are many needs and potential There are many needs and potential treatment targets identified in treatment targets identified in corrections populations.corrections populations.
2.2. Some are related to criminal risk; some Some are related to criminal risk; some are not.are not.
3.3. Focus on those needs which are Focus on those needs which are “criminogenic” (ie. causally related to “criminogenic” (ie. causally related to crime) such as social affiliations, drugs crime) such as social affiliations, drugs and criminal attitudes.and criminal attitudes.
4.4. When criminogenic needs are addressed, When criminogenic needs are addressed, the risk of recidivism declines.the risk of recidivism declines.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Responsivity PrincipleResponsivity Principle
1.1. When providing treatment services for forensic When providing treatment services for forensic or corrections populations, use methods which or corrections populations, use methods which are matched to the learning style of the are matched to the learning style of the population.population.
2.2. Cognitive-behavioral, skill-building, and relapse Cognitive-behavioral, skill-building, and relapse preventing interventions fit this model.preventing interventions fit this model.
3.3. Non-directive, non-specific “talk therapy” Non-directive, non-specific “talk therapy” methods do not.methods do not.
4.4. The use of appropriate intervention models The use of appropriate intervention models lowers risk; other models have either no effect lowers risk; other models have either no effect on recidivism or they may actually raise it.on recidivism or they may actually raise it.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Sex Offense Specific MeasuresSex Offense Specific Measures
Static Actuarial MeasuresStatic Actuarial Measures RRASOR RRASOR Static-99Static-99 VASORVASOR
Dynamic/Treatment MeasuresDynamic/Treatment Measures SONARSONAR STABLE/ACUTESTABLE/ACUTE Sex Offender Treatment Needs and Sex Offender Treatment Needs and
Progress ScaleProgress Scale
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
RRASORRRASOR Rapid risk assessment of sex offender Rapid risk assessment of sex offender
recidivismrecidivism ww2.ps-sp.gc.ca/publications/ww2.ps-sp.gc.ca/publications/
corrections/ 199704_e.pdf corrections/ 199704_e.pdf Four item scaleFour item scale
All four are incorporated into the STATIC-99All four are incorporated into the STATIC-99 Total score 0-6Total score 0-6
00 LowLow 1,21,2 Moderate-LowModerate-Low 3,43,4 Moderate-HighModerate-High 5,65,6 HighHigh
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
RRASOR - RRASOR - Rapid risk assessment of sex Rapid risk assessment of sex
offender recidivismoffender recidivism
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
STATIC-99STATIC-99
Ten item scaleTen item scale Total score 0-12Total score 0-12
0,10,1 LowLow 2,32,3 Moderate-LowModerate-Low 4,54,5 Moderate-HighModerate-High 6+6+ HighHigh
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
STATIC-99STATIC-99
Widely used in criminal, forensic and Widely used in criminal, forensic and correctional settings.correctional settings.
Instrumental in most sexually violent Instrumental in most sexually violent predator (SVP) determinations.predator (SVP) determinations.
Not as easy to score as it seems. Not as easy to score as it seems. Many scoring rules to understand.Many scoring rules to understand.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
STATIC-99STATIC-99
The Static-99 scoring manual is 80 The Static-99 scoring manual is 80 pages long.pages long.
http://ww2.ps-sp.gc.ca/publications/corrhttp://ww2.ps-sp.gc.ca/publications/corrections/pdf/Static-99-coding-Rules_e.pdfections/pdf/Static-99-coding-Rules_e.pdf
Or google “Static-99”Or google “Static-99”
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
STATIC-99 IssuesSTATIC-99 Issues
Like most actuarial risk assessment Like most actuarial risk assessment instruments, it is only +/- 70% accurate. instruments, it is only +/- 70% accurate.
False positives - over-predicting riskFalse positives - over-predicting risk False negatives - under-predicting riskFalse negatives - under-predicting risk
Over-reliance on unchanging static risk Over-reliance on unchanging static risk factors to the exclusion of changing factors to the exclusion of changing dynamic risk factors is a significant dynamic risk factors is a significant problem in Vermont (and elsewhere).problem in Vermont (and elsewhere).
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
STATIC-99 - age and recidivismSTATIC-99 - age and recidivism
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
STATIC-99 - age and recidivismSTATIC-99 - age and recidivism
“There were few sexual offenders of any type in the advanced age category (>50 years !!) … and their recidivism rates were generally low.”
• decreasing sex drive• fewer opportunities
Hanson, K.W. (2002). Recidivism and age. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17 (10), 1046-1062.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
STATIC-99 - time at riskSTATIC-99 - time at risk
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Listserv communication from Hanson and Listserv communication from Hanson and Harris Harris (3/10/08)(3/10/08)
“ “Recently, (we) found follow-up Recently, (we) found follow-up recidivism rates to be below that which recidivism rates to be below that which would be expected given those found would be expected given those found in the original STATIC-99 samples of in the original STATIC-99 samples of origin. This has led to some question origin. This has led to some question as to whether there has been a shift in as to whether there has been a shift in the nature of sexual recidivism and the nature of sexual recidivism and whether the estimates generated from whether the estimates generated from the samples of origin are still valid.” the samples of origin are still valid.”
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
VASORVASOR
Vermont assessment of sex offender Vermont assessment of sex offender riskrisk
Weighs 19 variablesWeighs 19 variables 13 on the Reoffense Risk Scale13 on the Reoffense Risk Scale 6 on the Violence Scale6 on the Violence Scale
According to the manual, scores are According to the manual, scores are plotted on an overall risk chartplotted on an overall risk chart Reoffense Risk Scale x Violence ScaleReoffense Risk Scale x Violence Scale
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
VASORVASOR Prior sex offensesPrior sex offenses Prior adult convictionsPrior adult convictions Court order violationsCourt order violations Force used during current Force used during current
arrestarrest Relationship to victimRelationship to victim Male victimMale victim History of exhibitionismHistory of exhibitionism Deviant sexual fixationDeviant sexual fixation Alcohol of drug use (past Alcohol of drug use (past
five years)five years) Address changes (past Address changes (past
year)year) Time employed/ in schoolTime employed/ in school Past treatment successPast treatment success Amenability to treatmentAmenability to treatment
Prior convictions for violent Prior convictions for violent crimescrimes
Prior conviction for crime Prior conviction for crime involving deadly weaponinvolving deadly weapon
Force used during current Force used during current offenseoffense
Sexual intrusiveness of Sexual intrusiveness of current offensecurrent offense
Physical harm to victimPhysical harm to victim Victim <5, >55, or Victim <5, >55, or
handicappedhandicapped
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
VASOR - Daubert criteria issuesVASOR - Daubert criteria issues
No peer-reviewed studies on its No peer-reviewed studies on its reliability and validityreliability and validity
Manual relies on studies presented in Manual relies on studies presented in poster formatposter format
Manual clearly marks the VASOR as a Manual clearly marks the VASOR as a “research version”“research version”
Not cited in major reviews of other Not cited in major reviews of other actuarial scalesactuarial scales
Used rarely outside of VermontUsed rarely outside of Vermont
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
VASOR - Validity issueVASOR - Validity issue
According to Georgia Cumming, new According to Georgia Cumming, new cases are being added to the VASOR cases are being added to the VASOR database, and within “a couple of database, and within “a couple of weeks” there will be new cut points weeks” there will be new cut points for describing the risk level of cases, for describing the risk level of cases, based on their scores.based on their scores.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Dynamic Measures of Sexual Dynamic Measures of Sexual Recidivism RiskRecidivism Risk
SONAR: Sex offender need assessment SONAR: Sex offender need assessment ratingrating
Stable 2007 and Acute 2007Stable 2007 and Acute 2007
Treatment Progress Scale (Vermont-Treatment Progress Scale (Vermont-specific)specific)
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
SONAR - SONAR - sex offender needs assessment sex offender needs assessment ratingrating
rates dynamic factors related to recidivism
improves the predictive accuracy and utility of actuarial (historical factors) instruments by considering changing circumstances in the offender’s life (ie. dynamic factors)
http://ww2.ps-sp.gc.ca/publications/http://ww2.ps-sp.gc.ca/publications/corrections/200001b_e.aspcorrections/200001b_e.asp
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Stable and Acute - 2007Stable and Acute - 2007
Stable factorsStable factors Significant social influencesSignificant social influences Capacity for relationship stabilityCapacity for relationship stability Emotional identification with childrenEmotional identification with children Hostility toward womenHostility toward women General social rejectionGeneral social rejection Lack of concern for othersLack of concern for others ImpulsiveImpulsive Poor problem solving skillsPoor problem solving skills
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Stable and Acute - 2007Stable and Acute - 2007
Stable factors (cont.)Stable factors (cont.) Negative emotionalityNegative emotionality Sex drive preoccupationSex drive preoccupation Sex as a coping mechanismSex as a coping mechanism Deviant sexual preferenceDeviant sexual preference Deviant sexual interests in possible Deviant sexual interests in possible
remissionremission Cooperation with supervisionCooperation with supervision
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Stable and Acute - 2007Stable and Acute - 2007
Acute factorsAcute factors Victim accessVictim access HostilityHostility Sexual preoccupationSexual preoccupation Rejection of supervisionRejection of supervision Emotional collapseEmotional collapse Collapse of social supportsCollapse of social supports Substance abuseSubstance abuse
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Stable and Acute - 2007Stable and Acute - 2007
The most recent version incorporates The most recent version incorporates the Static-99 variables and the most the Static-99 variables and the most risk-relevant dynamic variables to risk-relevant dynamic variables to describe both risk level and describe both risk level and supervision intensity needs for a supervision intensity needs for a client.client.
This represents best evidence-based This represents best evidence-based practice at this time.practice at this time.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Vermont Treatment Progress ScaleVermont Treatment Progress Scale
http://www.csom.org/pubs/http://www.csom.org/pubs/SexOffTreatScale.pdfSexOffTreatScale.pdf
McGrath & Cumming (2003)McGrath & Cumming (2003) Bob McGrath, MA, licensed psychologist, clinical Bob McGrath, MA, licensed psychologist, clinical
director, Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual director, Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual AggressorsAggressors
Georgia Cumming, administrative director, Georgia Cumming, administrative director, Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual AggressorsAggressors
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Vermont Treatment Progress ScaleVermont Treatment Progress Scale
Sexual deviancySexual deviancy CriminalityCriminality Self-regulationSelf-regulation Treatment and supervision Treatment and supervision
cooperationcooperation Lifestyle stabilityLifestyle stability Social supportsSocial supports
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Multiple Static AssessmentsMultiple Static AssessmentsDOC uses three static actuarial scalesDOC uses three static actuarial scales
RRASOR, STATIC-99, VASORRRASOR, STATIC-99, VASOR It is unnecessary to use more than one It is unnecessary to use more than one
static actuarial assessmentstatic actuarial assessment “...combining scales did not provide a
statistically significant or consistent advantage over the single best actuarial risk scale in predicting either serious or sexual recidivism.” Seto (2005)
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Multiple Static AssessmentsMultiple Static Assessments So why does DOC policy require the use So why does DOC policy require the use
the Static-99, RRASOR and VASOR on all the Static-99, RRASOR and VASOR on all sex offenders?sex offenders?
The HIGHEST of the three ratings is usedThe HIGHEST of the three ratings is used Low Medium low Medium Medium high High
Fishing for the highest score?
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Multiple Static AssessmentsMultiple Static Assessments If there are going to be multiple If there are going to be multiple
instruments, why use three instruments, why use three static factorstatic factor assessments?assessments?
Why exclude Why exclude dynamic variablesdynamic variables?? Sonar Stable/Acute 2007 Vermont Treatment Progress Scale
Evidence-based practice vs. not
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
DenialDenial
““Denial” vs. minimizationDenial” vs. minimization
Weak predicator of recidivism and Weak predicator of recidivism and treatment compliancetreatment compliance
Hanson and Morton-Bourgeon (2005) Hanson and Morton-Bourgeon (2005) article p. 1158article p. 1158
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Conflict of InterestConflict of Interest
DOC relies on a network of providers who DOC relies on a network of providers who provide both forensic assessments and provide both forensic assessments and clinical interventions.clinical interventions.
““Irreconcilable conflict between Irreconcilable conflict between therapeutic and forensic roles” therapeutic and forensic roles” (Greenberg & (Greenberg & Shuman, 1997).Shuman, 1997).
““Failure to maintain adequate separation Failure to maintain adequate separation of roles has a number of counter-of roles has a number of counter-therapeutic consequences in sex offender therapeutic consequences in sex offender management” management” (Covell & Wheeler, 2006).(Covell & Wheeler, 2006).
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Conflict of InterestConflict of Interest
National professional organizations National professional organizations specifically highlight the importance of specifically highlight the importance of avoiding dual rolesavoiding dual roles
American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychological Association American Academy of Psychiatry & the LawAmerican Academy of Psychiatry & the Law Association for the Treatment of Sexual Association for the Treatment of Sexual
Abusers (ATSA)Abusers (ATSA)
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
Conflict of InterestConflict of Interest ““Members recognize that there may be potential Members recognize that there may be potential
conflicts of interest when they provide both conflicts of interest when they provide both evaluation and treatment services to the same evaluation and treatment services to the same person. When it is necessary to fulfill both person. When it is necessary to fulfill both functions (for example, in rural settings or functions (for example, in rural settings or institutions), members take reasonable steps to institutions), members take reasonable steps to manage and resolve any conflicts in the best manage and resolve any conflicts in the best interest of the client and the community.”interest of the client and the community.”
ATSA practice standards and ATSA practice standards and guidelines (2005)guidelines (2005)
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
DOC Case StaffingsDOC Case Staffings
2 to 10 P.O.’s gathered with a 2 to 10 P.O.’s gathered with a supervisor to discuss a case. supervisor to discuss a case.
Victims’ advocates, others, included?Victims’ advocates, others, included? Referred to, in policy, as a “peer Referred to, in policy, as a “peer
review process”review process” No record or transcript.No record or transcript.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
DOC Case StaffingsDOC Case Staffings
“ “This is an opportunity for the PSI This is an opportunity for the PSI investigator to present the information investigator to present the information collected to fellow staff members for collected to fellow staff members for comment and advice on further areas of comment and advice on further areas of investigation, additional needed investigation, additional needed information, and a sentencing information, and a sentencing recommendation decision.”recommendation decision.”
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
DOC Case StaffingsDOC Case Staffings This is not considered best-practice for This is not considered best-practice for
improved decision-making.improved decision-making. Nationally, reviews typically involve small Nationally, reviews typically involve small
panels of higher-trained professionals who panels of higher-trained professionals who critically consider the evidence and determine critically consider the evidence and determine whether to override lower level decisions.whether to override lower level decisions.
In Vermont there is a strong tendency toward In Vermont there is a strong tendency toward peer group-think.peer group-think.
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
DOC Case StaffingsDOC Case Staffings““I have heard of a very similar process occurring I have heard of a very similar process occurring in Boston relative to their civil commitment in Boston relative to their civil commitment process. (It) was thought to be so bad that a local process. (It) was thought to be so bad that a local TV station did an "expose" on the process and TV station did an "expose" on the process and how political and poor the decision making was - how political and poor the decision making was - despite needing to emphasize during he program despite needing to emphasize during he program that the network was not trying to protect sex that the network was not trying to protect sex offenders by making the expose. They instead offenders by making the expose. They instead pointed out that there were obvious errors in pointed out that there were obvious errors in decisions in both directions - holding people who decisions in both directions - holding people who should not be held, and letting others go who should not be held, and letting others go who should not have been let go.”should not have been let go.”
Listserv colleague, commenting on Vt case staffing processListserv colleague, commenting on Vt case staffing process
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
(C) 2008 Vermont Forensic Assessment All rights reserved
How to Protect your Client from Bad How to Protect your Client from Bad Risk AssessmentsRisk Assessments
Presented byPresented byVermont Forensic Assessment, Vermont Forensic Assessment, PLLCPLLC
Thomas A. Powell, Ph.D. & John C. Holt, Thomas A. Powell, Ph.D. & John C. Holt, Ph.D.Ph.D.
4281 Shelburne Road4281 Shelburne RoadShelburne, VT 05482Shelburne, VT 05482
802-985-2412802-985-2412www.vtfa.comwww.vtfa.com