Dynamic risk as a predictor of treatment non‐completion in sexual offenders: An evaluation of the static‐99R, Stable‐2007 and URICA

Abstract

Purpose

The present study examined whether three commonly used assessment instruments can predict treatment non-completion from a community treatment programme for individuals convicted of sexual offences.

Method

All 289 male sexual offenders in the sample completed a standard intake assessment, which included a clinical interview, completion of the URICA, the Static-99R and the Stable-2007. Clinicians certified in the administration of the Static-99R and Stable-2007 administered, scored and interpreted these instruments based on information from the clinical interview and collateral records.

Results

The Stable-2007 consistently predicted treatment attrition, whereas the Static-99R and URICA did not add significant predictive power once dynamic risk was accounted for. Item-level analysis of the Stable-2007 revealed that Poor Problem Solving was the strongest individual risk factor associated with treatment non-completion, though other subscales of the Stable-2007 also predicted non-completion.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that dynamic criminogenic needs may play a central role in identifying which sexual offenders are at risk of not completing treatment. The implications of this exploratory study are discussed, including how the Stable-2007 can help identify criminogenic needs for intervention to improve treatment completion rates.