Investigating the predictive validity of Static-99/99R scores in a sample of older sexual offenders

Abstract

There is limited information regarding the use of risk assessment tools with aging offender populations. It is known that the likelihood of offending behaviour decreases with age, a small group of men either continue or begin to offend sexually in the later decades of life. The current study investigated the predictive validity of the Static-99 and the Static-99R, in a sample of convicted Australian sex offenders aged 50 and older. A sample of 118 participants was identified, of which 17 (14.4%) re-offended within a follow-up period ranging from four months to 20 years (M = 9.07 years). There were seven recidivists (13.46%) above the age of 60 years (n = 52) and 10 aged 40 to 59.9 years (n = 66). Both the Static-99 and Static-99R demonstrated moderate predictive validity with both age groups. The limitations of this study are discussed as well as recommendations for future research.

Key words:

• age correction
• aged
• aged sexual offenders
• Australia
• predictive validity
• recidivism
• risk assessment
• sexual offenders
• Static-99
• Static-99R

Ethical standards

Declaration of conflicts of interest

Beatrice C. Raymond has declared no conflicts of interest

Troy E. McEwan has declared no conflicts of interest

Michael R. Davis has declared no conflicts of interest

Sophie Reeves has declared no conflicts of interest

James R. P. Ogloff has declared no conflicts of interest

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.