NCJ Number
232085
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: September 2010 Pages: 315-327
Date Published
September 2010
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article provides a critical examination of the applicability of need and risk assessments to female offenders.
Abstract
Recent research has suggested that 'gender-informed' measures are likely to be a more valid tool than existing methods when classifying offender need and risk. The author suggests that a serious evaluation of how we assess the need and risk of women incarcerated in England and Wales is needed, with focus on the criminogenic needs of women, the context of their lives, and their pathways into crime. While an entirely new method of assessment focused on women may be required, it seems equally likely that a more simple 'reweighting' of existing methods such as the Offender Assessment System (OASys) may be sufficient - focused on both gender-mutual and female-specific needs. References (Published Abstract)