Level Of Service/Case Management Inventory Research Articles

Convergent and Divergent Validity of the Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT) in a Clinical Sample From California.

The Child Pornography Offender Risk Tool (CPORT) is a seven-item actuarial risk assessment tool that is used to estimate the potential for sexual recidivism among men convicted of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM; legally referred to as child pornography) offenses. In the current study, we examined the convergent and divergent validity of the CPORT in a clinical sample of 224 men on federal probation in the United States who were convicted of at least one type of CSEM offense. CPORT scores were significantly, moderately, and positively correlated with scores on another sexual offense risk assessment tool, the Risk Matrix 2000 (RM2000/S), showing broad evidence of convergent validity, and was nonsignificantly associated with scores on a general offense risk assessment tool, the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), showing evidence of divergent validity. There was also evidence of specific convergent validity; for example, the CPORT item reflecting prior criminal history was most strongly related to the Criminal History domain of the LS/CMI, and CPORT items reflecting sexual interest in children were significantly and strongly associated with self-reported sexual interest in children from the clinical evaluation. We also examined the impact of including clinical information in the scoring of the CPORT. Including this information reduced the amount of missing scores, but the impact on predictive accuracy is not yet known. Implications for clinical practices are discussed.

Static and dynamic predictors of forensic mental health decision-making.

In Canada, individuals found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCR) fall under the supervision of a jurisdictional review board (RB) per the Criminal Code. Limited research has examined whether RB decisions balance the needs of public safety with social reintegration as intended by federal legislation. To fill this gap, the present study determined whether forensic decisional outcomes in one provincial RB system accounted for information relevant to violence risk. Study instruments included the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), Historical Clinical Risk Management-20 Version 3, and the Revised Violence Risk Appraisal Guide. A retrospective longitudinal design was employed to examine an NCR cohort (N = 109) that entered the RB system between 2005 and 2010 and their respective RB hearings (N = 327) until 2015. Results indicated that risk-relevant information was supplied to the RB by forensic professionals; however, key criminogenic risk and need factors as defined by the LS/CMI were absent in clinical reports. RB decisions were still strongly predicted by empirically supported risk factors linked to violent recidivism. Higher release likelihoods corresponded to a proportionally greater reliance on dynamic risk factors to enact dispositions. Forensic risk instruments are central aspects of correctional rehabilitation, and the results demonstrated their relevance to forensic tribunals. It is recommended that information from a forensic risk instrument be routinely delivered to RBs to support evidence-based decision-making. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

A Look at the Difficulty and Predictive Validity of LS/CMI Items With Rasch Modeling

The current study aimed to provide data on the performance of items, dimensions, and the total score of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), one of the most internationally used actuarial scales for the prediction of general recidivism in convicted persons. Using the full population of Quebec’s male incarcerated population evaluated between 2008 and 2015 with a 2-year follow-up ( N = 15,961), results indicated that the predictive validity of the scale and its components was in line or better than effect sizes reported in other validation studies. A Rasch model was computed to obtain the difficulty parameter of LS/CMI items. Results indicated that items had varying levels of difficulty and covered the whole spectrum of the risk continuum. However, difficulty in Rasch was uncorrelated with the predictive validity of items, which casts a doubt on the applicability of some aspects of item response theory to actuarial scales.

An investigation of reliability and validity of the LS/CMI with French offenders

IntroductionThe Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) is one of the best-known recidivism risk instruments. In France, this scale is rarely used because no study had yet been carried out to confirm its psychometric properties on samples of French offenders. The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the LS/CMI on samples of violent French prisoners. MethodThe Level of Service/Case Management Inventory, the BARR-2002R, Historical Clinic Risk-Scale 20 and the Risk for Sexual Violence Protocol were administered to 128 violent offenders. Results-DiscussionThe results showed good internal consistency, reliability and convergent validity of the LS/CMI. Assault, robbery and sexual assault were correlated with the LS/CMI. All of these results are discussed and analysed using the international reference literature. ConclusionConfirmation of the psychometric properties of the LS/CMI among French offenders to allow it to be used to assess the risk of recidivism of offenders.

Is it possible to use the HCR-20 V2 to assess the risk of violent recidivism of French offenders?

The Historical-Clinical-Risk Management Scale 20 (HCR-20) is a structured tool to assess the risk of violence and assist in its management. French professionals are reluctant to use it because only a few studies have shown its psychometric qualities with French samples. The objective of this study is to test the psychometric qualities of the HCR-20 with samples of violent detainees in France. The HCR-20 and Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) were administered to 128 violent offenders with an average age of (44.16±12.30) years. We evaluated the reliability, internal consistency and validity of the HCR-20 and conducted an exploratory factor analysis. The results show that the HCR-20 has good psychometric qualities with a sample of French prisoners. Only the Risk domain presents weak results due to the data collection locations and the participants’ age. Correlations were observed between certain factors. The exploratory factor analysis shows four factors explaining 44% of the variance. The continuation of this work will enable French professionals to use sound tools to assess the risk of recidivism.

Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Case-Study of Filicide in an Italian Woman.

Background: At an international level, the risk assessment and management process of violent offenders follows a standard method that implies well-defined theoretical models and the use of scientifically validated tools. In Italy, this process is still highly discretionary. The aim of this study is to highlight the advantages deriving from the use of risk assessment tools within the framework of a single case study; Methods: Recidivism risk and social dangerousness of an Italian woman perpetrator of filicide were assessed through the administration of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) instrument supported by Historical Clinical Risk-20 Version 3 (HCR-20 V3); Results: The administration of LS/CMI showed that, in this single case, the subcomponents represent a criminogenic risk/need factor are: Family/Marital, Companions, Alcohol and Drug Problem and Leisure; while constituting strengths: employment and the absence of a Pro-criminal Orientation and an Antisocial Pattern; Conclusions: Data collected through LS/CMI indicated life areas of a single case, which should be emphasised not only to assess the risk of re-offending and social dangerousness but also for a social rehabilitation programme more suited to the subject. This study demonstrates that the LS/CMI assessment tool is suitable for the Italian context.

The Application of Machine Learning to a General Risk–Need Assessment Instrument in the Prediction of Criminal Recidivism

The Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) is one of the most frequently used tools to assess criminogenic risk–need in justice-involved individuals. Meta-analytic research demonstrates strong predictive accuracy for various recidivism outcomes. In this exploratory study, we applied machine learning (ML) algorithms (decision trees, random forests, and support vector machines) to a data set with nearly 100,000 LS/CMI administrations to provincial corrections clientele in Ontario, Canada, and approximately 3 years follow-up. The overall accuracies and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) were comparable, although ML outperformed LS/CMI in terms of predictive accuracy for the middle scores where it is hardest to predict the recidivism outcome. Moreover, ML improved the AUCs for individual scores to near 0.60, from 0.50 for the LS/CMI, indicating that ML also improves the ability to rank individuals according to their probability of recidivating. Potential considerations, applications, and future directions are discussed.

An Exploratory Study of Recidivism Risk Assessment Instruments for Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offenses in Singapore.

The predictive validity of risk assessment instruments for persons who have committed sexual offenses has improved tremendously in the last four decades, but the progress has been limited to Western offender populations. The aim of this study was to examine the predictive validity of Static-99R, Stable-2007, Sexual Violence Risk-20, Version 2 (SVR-20 v2), Psychopathy Checklist—Revised (PCL-R), and Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) in predicting recidivism of persons convicted on sexual offenses in Singapore. Retrospective data of 134 such persons were used to code the various instruments. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that combined Static-99R/Stable-2007 new standardized risk ratings, SVR-20 v2 total scores and risk ratings, PCL-R total scores, as well as LS/CMI total scores and risk ratings predicted sexual recidivism. All the aforementioned instruments’ total scores and risk ratings (if applicable) predicted any recidivism. However, risk profiles of this sample differed significantly from the normative Western samples.

Validation and Application of the LS/CMI in Nebraska Probation

This study examined the validity of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), as probation officers in the state of Nebraska use the tool. Study 1 evaluated the predictive validity of the LS/CMI by examining 19,344 probationer records over a 5.5-year period (January 2007-July 2013), and found that the LS/CMI total risk score demonstrated moderate predictive validity. Consistent with past findings, logistic regression showed that the total risk score predicted recidivism (return to probation) differently for nonminorities than for minorities. Furthermore, minorities scored higher than nonminorities on seven of the eight criminogenic factors. Study 2, a true randomized experiment, explored probation officer bias as an explanation for these findings, and found that training increased officers’ ratings of scores in some LS/CMI domains and decreased ratings in others. Most importantly, there was no evidence that officers demonstrated racial bias in administering the LS/CMI survey when scoring Black versus White target clients.

Broken Legs, Clinical Overrides, and Recidivism Risk: An Analysis of Decisions to Adjust Risk Levels With the LS/CMI

Risk assessment practices have evolved considerably over the past three decades. Structured assessments of recidivism risk allow for the proper identification of criminogenic needs, which in turn, allow decision makers to make informed recommendations regarding criminal justice interventions and measures. Although actuarial assessments are common practice, situations exist where evaluators may call into doubt the risk assessment’s conclusions, and may exercise their discretionary professional judgment to adjust the risk rating. Despite being common practice, clinical overrides have been the subject of very little empirical work. The aim of the current study is to examine the impact of clinical overrides on a large sample of individuals ( N = 3,646) who were assessed using the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI). Findings demonstrate that upward overrides produce different results than downward overrides. The practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.

An Examination of the Inter-Rater Reliability and Rater Accuracy of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory

ABSTRACTCorrectional agencies use risk assessment instruments for a wide range of purposes, including to help classify, manage, and treat offenders. The literature on offender risk assessment largely focuses on assessing for predictive accuracy, and far less research examines reliability in scoring. This study adds to this gap in knowledge by assessing how reliably and accurately a group of trained raters score one particular risk assessment tool, the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI). Findings reveal an adequate to strong level of inter-rater reliability across the domains of the LS/CMI. These results also suggest there is a wide range of rater accuracy across the items and domains of the LS/CMI. The policy and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

An Examination of a Risk/Needs Assessment Instrument and Its Relation to Religiosity and Recidivism Among Probationers in a Muslim Culture

This study was conducted to assess the value of administering a risk/need assessment instrument to low-risk offenders in Pakistan. The Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) and a measure of religiosity, the Muslim Religiosity-Personality Inventory (MRPI): Abridged Scale, were administered to probationers in this highly devout Muslim country that has little experience with risk/need assessment. In spite of the low recidivism rate, predictive validities based on correlation and receiver operating characteristic analyses were comparable with those of Western cultures overall, and for samples based on gender, geographic location, and type of crime. Although religiosity was negatively correlated with recidivism, it offered no incremental validity to the LS/CMI to predict recidivism because it was also correlated negatively with the LS/CMI. The findings have theoretical implications for the risk assessment of low-risk offenders and for the contribution of religiosity to offender risk and practical implications for the Pakistani justice system.

Predicting Client Success in Day Report Centers: The Importance of Risk and Needs Assessment

Research indicates that day report center (DRC) clients who complete their programs successfully are less likely to recidivate and tend to experience better postrelease outcomes. However, little is currently known about the predictive factors associated with successful program completion. Using a statewide sample of more than 2,000 clients drawn from 22 DRC programs in a mid-Atlantic state, this study investigates the relationship between client characteristics and case outcome (success vs. failure), and examines how the manner in which clients exited the program affected their risk of recidivism during a 24-month period following their release. The results identify several predictors of client success, of which the most powerful is offender risk based on the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI). These findings contribute to an emerging literature investigating the sources of success for offenders in community corrections programs and indicate that the LS/CMI is a valid predictor of a variety of recidivism outcomes.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory Among Australian Offenders Completing Community-Based Sentences

Risk assessment inventories play a significant role in predicting recidivism risk and informing parole and community supervision orders. This article examines the effectiveness of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) in a study of Australian offenders completing community-based sentences. The study aimed to identify the internal reliability and the factor structure of the LS/CMI. The results indicated that the LS/CMI total score achieved excellent internal reliability. There is concern regarding the capacity for the subscales to function independently. A factor analysis determined a two-factor solution at a subscale level, whereas a more diverse factor solution was obtained at an item level. The LS/CMI was determined to be predictive of recidivism, but this was a weak effect. The results indicate that the LS/CMI as it is currently used in this population may not be an appropriate assessment tool, requiring further research before an international risk assessment is adopted in Australian jurisdictions.

The Predictive Validity of the LS/CMI with Aboriginal Offenders in Canada

This study examined the applicability of a general risk/need assessment tool, the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI), to a large sample of Aboriginal offenders ( n = 1,692) and compared the predictive validity with that of the rest of the cohort, a sample of non-Aboriginal offenders ( n = 24,758). It examined the use of the clinical override with offenders. Aboriginal offenders had considerably higher scores and a greater recidivism rate than non-Aboriginal offenders. Internal consistency was high and virtually identical for both samples. The predictive validity for Aboriginal offenders on general recidivism was high, although slightly higher for non-Aboriginal offenders. The predictive validity was significant but low on violent recidivism for Aboriginal offenders, as were numerous subscales. Assessors used the override feature to change risk level less frequently on Aboriginal offenders. The implications of this study for policy (use on ethnic minority offenders) and practice (how to interpret potential recidivism) are discussed.

Does Resilience Predict Recidivism in Young Offenders?

Resilience has been proposed as a protective factor against recidivism and is included for consideration in at least one widely used violence risk assessment instrument. However, resilience is a complex construct rarely subjected to empirical research with offenders. This study sought to redress this by examining the relationship between resilience and recidivism using a psychometrically sound measure of resilience in a sample of young adult offenders. Results showed no statistical association between resilience and criminal charges during a 7–12 month follow-up. The Level of Service/Case Management inventory (LS/CMI) Total Score, intelligence (IQ) and history of assault were significantly associated with recidivism. LS/CMI Total Score and IQ were retained as significant predictors in the logistic regression model, which showed good predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.87). These results suggest that clarification of the construct of resilience may be required, or that resilience may not be associated with recidivism.

Are There Risks with Risk Assessment? A Study of the Predictive Accuracy of the Youth Level of Service-Case Management Inventory with Young Offenders in Scotland

The study examined the predictive validity of the Youth Level of Service–Case Management Inventory (YLS–CMI), using data from 1,138 tests conducted over two years in the social work department of a large urban local authority in Scotland. The study was the first large-scale examination of the use of the YLS–CMI in Scotland. Receiver Operating Characteristics and Survival analyses found the YLS–CMI to be a significant predictor of general and serious violent recidivism among young people aged under eighteen, and for males and females. The YLS–CMI did not predict recidivism among young people aged over eighteen. The use of the professional override reduced the predictive power of the YLS–CMI across all groups in the sample. The findings indicate that the YLS–CMI has population validity in Scotland and remains significantly accurate under typical social work practice conditions, but further research is required as to how and when social work practitioners should use the professional override facility.

The Predictive Validity of a General Risk/Needs Assessment Inventory on Sexual Offender Recidivism and an Exploration of the Professional Override

This study examines the predictive validity of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) on a sample of sexual offenders extracted from a large cohort of offenders and compares predictive validities with nonsexual offenders from the same cohort. The LS/CMI predicted sex offenders’ general recidivism, which occurred at a rate of 44.1%, with about the same accuracy as less frequently occurring violent (12.34%) and sexual recidivism (3.73%; AUC = .77, .74, and .74, respectively) and with nonsexual offenders. The study revealed that allowing assessors to override the numerically derived risk level with their professional judgment, a practice that increased risk level much more often than it decreased it, reduced the predictive validity of the scale and did so particularly for sex offenders by increasing risk excessively. An exploration of factors related to these adjustments revealed that non-risk-related characteristics were used in judgments to modify risk ratings. Implications for policy and practice are considered.

Are the Major Risk/Need Factors Predictive of Both Female and Male Reoffending?

The Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) and the Youth version (YLS/CMI) generate an assessment of risk/need across eight domains that are considered to be relevant for girls and boys and for women and men. Aggregated across five data sets, the predictive validity of each of the eight domains was gender-neutral. The composite total score (LS/CMI total risk/need) was strongly associated with the recidivism of males (mean r = .39, mean AUC = .746) and very strongly associated with the recidivism of females (mean r = .53, mean AUC = .827). The enhanced validity of LS total risk/need with females was traced to the exceptional validity of Substance Abuse with females. The intra-data set conclusions survived the introduction of two very large samples composed of female offenders exclusively. Finally, the mean incremental contributions of gender and the gender-by-risk level interactions in the prediction of criminal recidivism were minimal compared to the relatively strong validity of the LS/CMI risk level. Although the variance explained by gender was minimal and although high-risk cases were high-risk cases regardless of gender, the recidivism rates of lower risk females were lower than the recidivism rates of lower risk males, suggesting possible implications for test interpretation and policy.

General Risk and Need, Gender Specificity, and the Recidivism of Female Offenders

The study examined the predictive performance of social cognitive variables derived from a gender-neutral theory of criminal behavior in relation to several variables suggested as relevant by feminist perspectives. Multivariate analyses revealed that eight gender-neutral risk factors—assessed via the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI)—performed very well in the prediction of the general and violent recidivism of more than 400 adult female offenders. None of the gender-specific factors, including parenting responsibility and stress, victimization history, and self-harm, had incremental validity over the gender-neutral risk and need variables. However, financial problems and a measure of personal misfortune did predict reoffending among low-risk/low-need women. The findings suggest that risk factors derived from a gender-neutral social cognitive theory of crime are relevant for adult females and that perhaps gender-specific concerns may be best viewed as specific responsivity factors.