Abstract
The application of standard risk assessment tools with Aboriginal youth offenders has been a highly controversial practice. Criticisms are premised on the fact that risk/need tools are largely founded on the social and historical experiences of non-Aboriginal offenders. In turn, scholars and practitioners have recommended the use of culturally- specific risk/need factors considering Aboriginal culture and the unique context of Aboriginal people in Canada. The current project consists of two studies designed to contribute to our understanding of these concerns. Study 1 examined the predictive validity (both discrimination and calibration) of the YLS/CMI with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth offenders. Results found that although the YLS/CMI provides adequate discrimination for Aboriginal offenders (AUCs from .555 to .606), it underestimates the absolute recidivism rates of low and moderate risk Aboriginal youth compared to non-Aboriginal youth. Study 2 explored the utility of PSRs as sources of culturally-specific information and examined the predictive validity of those factors included. Results indicate that although a number of culturally-specific factors predicted re-offending, particularly family breakdown and community variables, PSRs are an inconsistent source of this information. Overall, the findings suggest that the predictive validity of the YLS/CMI with Aboriginal offenders may be improved with increased focus on family breakdown and home community. Implications and next steps for both practice and research are discussed.
Highlights
In 2013/2014, Aboriginal1 youth offenders accounted for 41% of youth admitted to custody or community supervision in Canada and yet, Aboriginal youth only represented 7% of the Canadian youth population (Correctional Services Program, 2015)
In order to facilitate interpretation of these findings, the predicted probabilities of both steps were saved and examined using ROC analyses. These findings indicate that the predictive validity of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) corresponds to an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of .623 (p < .001, 95% CI of [0.559, 0.688]), which increased to AUC = .664 (p < .001, 95% CI of [0.601, 0.727]) when the three individual culturally-specific factors are added to the model
The current findings suggest that the YLS/CMI can be used with Aboriginal offenders; the caution with which it should be used is highlighted by problems with calibration for a large proportion of the current sample
Summary
In 2013/2014, Aboriginal youth offenders accounted for 41% of youth admitted to custody or community supervision in Canada and yet, Aboriginal youth only represented 7% of the Canadian youth population (Correctional Services Program, 2015). The management of this overrepresented group of offenders, like all others in Canada, requires the use of risk/need assessment tools that assist in managing their risk in humane and effective ways and support the provision of treatment to prevent re-entry into the criminal justice system. The application of risk assessment tools to Aboriginal offenders and the current evidence supporting culturally-specific factors will be examined
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