Some Considerations on the Use of Actuarial and Related Forensic Measures With Diverse Correctional Populations

• Published in: Journal of threat assessment and management 2016-06, Vol.3 (2), p.107-121
• Main Author: Olver, Mark E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Correctional Institutions; Criminal Offenders; Forensic Evaluation; Human; Indigenous Populations; Risk Assessment
• ISSN: 2169-4842; 2169-4850
• DOI: 10.1037/tam0000065

The appropriateness of the use of actuarial risk assessment instruments and related structured forensic measures with persons of diversity is a sensitive and contentious issue in clinical, legal, and correctional arenas. The Ewert v. Canada (2015) decision has brought close scrutiny to the use of these measures specifically with Indigenous persons in Canadian federal corrections. The November 2015 webinar Ewert v. Canada: Implications for Forensic Practice provided an important opportunity to discuss central issues and to examine the evidence. In this commentary, I review the evidence regarding the predictive properties of 4 structured forensic assessment measures among Indigenous offenders-the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, Violence Risk Scale-Sexual Offender Version, Level of Service scales, and Statistical Information on Recidivism scales-drawing largely from Correctional Service of Canada data sources. I close with a set of conclusions and future directions regarding the practice of forensic assessment and use of structured assessment tools with persons of diversity. Although further work remains to be done, I advance the argument that available and forthcoming data support the careful and responsible application of actuarial and related structured tools in forensic assessment contexts with Canadian Indigenous offenders.