Risk Of Reoffending Research Articles

What Makes People Reoffend? Predictors of Reconviction – A 2-year Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT Male offenders constitute a substantial proportion of the whole male prison population. A comparison of recidivism rates in the entire world shows that the return to criminal behavior ranges from 9% to even 79%. Recent studies indicate that a risk for criminal reoffending is based on many different factors. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of personality, criminal thinking styles, stress coping styles, moral feelings, some aspects of socialization and crime characteristics on reoffending. This longitudinal study was conducted twice over the course of two years and involved 247 male prison inmates housed in 20 Polish prisons. Recidivism and other penitentiary data were obtained from administrative records. Independent sample t-tests were used to indicate differences between recidivists and non-recidivists. Logistic multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the potential predictive value of the potential risk factors for recidivism. The overall recidivism rate was 35%. The study findings showed that sentimentality, shame, the type of the correctional facility, the criminal record, and the type of the inmate’s upbringing had an impact on recidivism while therapeutic methods and a sense of contrition could decrease the probability of reoffending.

Is arrest for prohibited drug use a prelude to more serious offending?

Although they constitute a significant fraction of the workload of most courts, very little research has been conducted on the criminal careers of those who commit minor offences. Such research is important for both theoretical and practical reasons. It is of theoretical importance because the criminal careers of those who commit minor offences may differ significantly from those who commit serious offences. It is of practical importance because the assumed rate of re-offending among minor offenders has a bearing on both the sentence imposed and the question of whether some offences should be decriminalised. Use or possession of a prohibited drug is a common minor offence – and one that many have argued should be decriminalised. Little is known, however, about the criminal careers of those convicted of this offence. We do not know what proportion are rearrested, what further offences (if any) they commit, or what factors affect the rate of offending among those who do have further contact with the criminal justice system. To answer these questions, we examined a cohort of 13,953 people whose first proven offence was for the use or possession of a prohibited drug and examined their criminal careers over an average period of 4.4 years (sd. = 3.4 years, range = 20.8 years). The majority (73%) had no further contact with the NSW criminal justice system. The most common offence among those who did re-offend was another drug possession offence. Significantly higher risks of re-offending were found among those living in areas in the lowest quartile of disadvantage and among those found in possession of cannabis. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Care pathways in forensic mental health services in New Zealand

On entering forensic mental health services (FMHS) patients progress along forensic care pathways (FCP) that aim to maximise well-being and reduce risk of reoffending. They progress through high-, medium-, and low-secure psychiatric units with changing care and security needs. There is minimal literature examining FCP or their efficacy. This retrospective study describes the characteristics of patients admitted to an acute FMHS and explores the clinical, sociodemographic, and legal factors that influence FCP progression. Most patients were referred from prison (65.1%) and presented with violent index offending (62.4%) and psychotic disorder (80.6%). Young Maori men with psychosis predominated the forensic population. Logistic regression revealed violent index offending and diagnosis were determinants of following FCP, while violent offending and longer duration of stay were predictive of FCP progression. This study found no reduction in re-hospitalisation rates or inpatient length of stay over a three year follow-up for patients that completed the FCP.

Contribution of a Cluster Approach to Identify the Profiles of Men Sentenced for Sexual Violence According to Their Risk of Reoffending.

The aim of this study is to propose a typology of recidivism risk profiles based on the criminogenic needs of a population of men sentenced for sexual violence. Their socio-demographic, criminological, psychological, and psychiatric factors and vulnerabilities are compared. This classification will respond to the need for a better identification of the factors involved in the risk of recidivism of men sentenced for sexual violence, in order to develop more effective management. Several psychological and psychiatric scales (personality traits, impulsivity, cognitive distortions, empathy, and psychiatric disorders) were completed by 86 men incarcerated for sexual violence. Their socio-demographic and criminological characteristics were also recorded, and the investigator rated three recidivism scales for all participants. Results: Cluster analysis led to identification of two significantly different needs groups. In contrast to the "Lower needs" profile (n = 54, 64%), the men with a "Higher needs" profile (n = 32, 36%) were significantly younger and less educated had more adult and extra-familial victims, scored higher on Neuroticism and lower on Conscientiousness and Empathy, and presented with more past and current psychiatric disorders. The overall findings of this study are consistent with the literature on the characteristics of men sentenced for sexual violence with high needs. The assessment and management of men who have committed sexual violence must consider: criminogenic factors, which should be prioritized; past or present psychiatric disorders, which may act as acute risk factors; and non-criminogenic needs, which should not be prioritized, but which may (when linked to criminogenic needs) impact the effectiveness of management.

Transformative Learning Theory and Its Application to the Delivery of Community Maintenance Programs for Men Who Have Sexually Offended.

Given public perceptions about those who have sexually offended, there tends to be a focus on offence-specific intervention programs in a bid to address re-offending risk. With a significant portion of the literature on sexual offending focused on the development and evaluation of interventions targeting this behavior, there is little that considers community maintenance programs (CMPs) or those programs in the community where those who are released from prison are attempting to reintegrate. Further, there is no known research considering the theoretical underpinnings of or a framework for delivering CMPs. This paper offers Transformative Learning Theory as a potential framework for the delivery of CMPs and offers that adult learning theory needs to be considered in the delivery of offending interventions.

Survey on the Prescription Patterns of Pharmacological Agents in Individuals Who Have Committed Sexual Offenses During Forensic Outpatient Treatment in Germany: How Many Discontinue Testosterone Lowering Medication Under Parole?

BackgroundThe number of individuals who sexually offended, and who are continued to be treated with pharmacological agents to reduce sex drive after their release from prison or forensic psychiatry, are not known. Furthermore, figures on the number of those who stop their sexdrive supressing antiandrogen treatment in the outpatient setting are unknown as well. This is of central importance though as it might be associated with an increased risk of recidivism. AimTo assess prescription patterns as well as adherence to pharmacological treatment in outpatient clinics in Germany for individuals who have sexually offended and were released from prison or forensic psychiatric hospital. MethodsA self-constructed online survey assessing the pharmacological treatment modalities was sent by e-mail to n = 103 forensic outpatient clinics in Germany. Thirty-three (32.0%) completed the questionnaire and reported about 834 patients. OutcomesPrevalence of the use of different pharmacological agents in the treatment of individuals convicted for sexual offenses as well as the number of patients who have discontinued testosterone-lowering medication (TLM). ResultsAmong all institutions, 22.4% (n = 187) of individuals received pharmacological treatment, with 40.1% receiving gonadotropin-releasing-hormone-agonists, 26.2% antipsychotics, 24.6% selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, 6.4% cyproterone acetate, and 2.7% a combination of gonadotropin-releasing-hormone-agonists and cyproterone acetate. A significant positive correlation was found between the number of patients released from a forensic-psychiatric hospital and the number of patients treated with TLM. Within 1 year 8.6% (n = 16) stopped their TLM during or at the end of the supervision period, most of them against treatment providers advice. Clinical ImplicationsSubstantial regional differences indicate uncertainties regarding the prescription of pharmacological agents for outpatients who have committed sexual offences in Germany. The discontinuiation of TLM within the first year of treatment against treatment providers advise in a substantial proportion of patients could be associated with a serious risk for reoffending. Strengths & LimitationsThe present survey captures prevalences of the pharmacotherapy in forensic aftercare facilities for individuals who have offended sexually, and is the first to record the number of discontinuations. This is a cross-sectional survey covering only 1 country, but includes a large number of individuals. ConclusionEven though the number of treated individuals has increased in prisons, the majority of pharmacological treatment is still provided by forensic hospitals, which then translates into the outpatient setting. The number of those who stop taking such medication is a highly relevant topic for both forensic treatment providers and legal decision makersSauter J, Rettenberger M, Briken P, et al. Survey on the Prescription Patterns of Pharmacological Agents in Individuals Who Have Committed Sexual Offenses During Forensic Outpatient Treatment in Germany: How Many Discontinue Testosterone Lowering Medication Under Parole?. J Sex Med 2022;19:1147–1155.

Mental health service utilisation and reoffending in offenders with a diagnosis of psychosis receiving non-custodial sentences: A 14-year follow-up study.

While psychosis is considered a risk factor for offending, little is reported about mental health service utilisation in offenders with psychosis and its relationship with reoffending. We examined the association between contact with mental health services and reoffending in those diagnosed with psychosis. We linked health and offending records in New South Wales (Australia) and identified all individuals with a diagnosis of psychosis and a subsequent offence resulting in a non-custodial sentence between 2001 and 2012. We examined the incidence and risk factors for reoffending, and time to reoffending between 2001 and 2015 using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival methods. We specifically examined the association between clinical contact with community mental health services following the index offence and reoffending. Of the 7393 offenders with psychosis, 70% had clinical contact and 49% reoffended. There was a linear relationship between an increased number of clinical contacts and reduced risk of reoffending: those with no clinical contact had more than a fivefold risk of reoffending compared to those with the highest number of contacts (adjusted hazard ratio = 5.78, 95% confidence interval = [5.04, 6.62]). Offenders with substance-related psychosis and those convicted of non-violent offences had fewer clinical contacts and higher rates of reoffending when compared with controls (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval = [1.13, 1.47] and adjusted hazard ratio = 1.26, 95% confidence interval = [1.18, 1.35], respectively). This study supports an association between more frequent mental health service use and reduced risk of reoffending. Efforts to enhance mental health service utilisation in those with psychosis who are at a higher risk of reoffending should be promoted.

Predicting Violent Reoffending in Individuals Released From Prison in a Lower-Middle-Income Country: A Validation of OxRec in Tajikistan.

BackgroundAlthough around 70% of the world's prison population live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), risk assessment tools for criminal recidivism have been developed and validated in high-income countries (HICs). Validating such tools in LMIC settings is important for the risk management of people released from prison, development of evidence-based intervention programmes, and effective allocation of limited resources.MethodsWe aimed to externally validate a scalable risk assessment tool, the Oxford Risk of Recidivism (OxRec) tool, which was developed in Sweden, using data from a cohort of people released from prisons in Tajikistan. Data were collected from interviews (for predictors) and criminal records (for some predictors and main outcomes). Individuals were first interviewed in prison and then followed up over a 1-year period for post-release violent reoffending outcomes. We assessed the predictive performance of OxRec by testing discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve; AUC) and calibration (calibration statistics and plots). In addition, we calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for different predetermined risk thresholds.ResultsThe cohort included 970 individuals released from prison. During the 12-month follow-up, 144 (15%) were reincarcerated for violent crimes. The original model performed well. The discriminative ability of OxRec Tajikistan was good (AUC = 0.70; 95% CI 0.66–0.75). The calibration plot suggested an underestimation of observed risk probabilities. However, after recalibration, model performance was improved (Brier score = 0.12; calibration in the large was 1.09). At a selected risk threshold of 15%, the tool had a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 65%, PPV 23% and NPV 90%. In addition, OxRec was feasible to use, despite challenges to risk prediction in LMICs.ConclusionIn an external validation in a LMIC, the OxRec tool demonstrated good performance in multiple measures. OxRec could be used in Tajikistan to help prioritize interventions for people who are at high-risk of violent reoffending after incarceration and screen out others who are at lower risk of violent reoffending. The use of validated risk assessment tools in LMICs could improve risk stratification and inform the development of future interventions tailored at modifiable risk factors for recidivism, such as substance use and mental health problems.

Do Criminal Offenders Have a Right to Neurorehabilitation?

Soon it may be possible to promote the rehabilitation of criminal offenders through neurointerventions (interventions which exert direct physical, chemical or biological effects on the brain). Some jurisdictions already utilise neurointerventions to diminish the risk of sexual or drug-related reoffending. And investigation is underway into several other neurointerventions that might also have rehabilitative applications within criminal justice—for example, pharmacotherapy to reduce aggression or impulsivity. Ethical debate on the use of neurointerventions to facilitate rehabilitation—henceforth ‘neurorehabilitation’—has proceeded on two assumptions: that we have instrumental reasons for employing neurorehabilitation (e.g. because it helps protect the public from crime); and that its permissibility depends upon whether its use unjustifiably infringes offenders’ rights. This paper defends a different, hitherto neglected thought. I argue we have rights-based reasons to offer neurorehabilitation to offenders—in other words, that offenders have a moral right to neurorehabilitation. I identify three considerations which support a moral right to conventional rehabilitative interventions—(1) as a countermeasure to the debilitating side-effects of punishment; (2) as a derivative right of the right to hope for renewed liberty; and (3) as compensation for structural injustice. I argue these considerations extend to support a moral right to neurorehabilitation in the following instance: when neurorehabilitation would be part of the most effective package for facilitating rehabilitation, and can be carried out at reasonable cost. I then defend my argument against potential objections, including the objection that neurorehabilitation is a bad option for offenders to have and the charge of over-medicalisation.

The efficacy of offence-specific interventions in reducing risk and recidivism in women: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Almost a quarter of women released from prisons in England and Wales reoffend; this figure is three times higher for women serving less than 12-month sentences. Offender programmes used within prison, probation, and forensic inpatient services aim to reduce an individual’s risk of reoffending. Whilst offence-specific interventions are widely offered to men who offend, comparatively few are offered to women. The current systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of offence-specific interventions in reducing women’s recidivism. Overall, recidivism in programme completers was low (m = 14.05%). However, the quality of studies included (n = 7) was low, limiting the conclusions drawn. Several studies yielded met the inclusion criteria, with the exception of reporting recidivism outcomes. A second review was conducted incorporating these studies, broadening the outcomes of interest to include incidents of violence in hospital or prison and self-report outcomes related to offending (n = 10). Incidents reduced following programme completion; however, self-reported outcomes were mixed. The review highlighted a lack of evidence for the efficacy of offence-specific interventions facilitated with women and limited use of recidivism as an outcome measure within the literature, despite often being a key aim of the interventions.

Drumming, singing and ceremony within a psychologically informed planned environment for women on the offender personality disorder pathway

PurposeThe offender personality disorder (OPD) pathway provides services to people with histories of offending and traits of personality disorder (PD) who are at high risk of violent re-offending. The residential provisions have been developed as psychologically informed planned environments (PIPE), in which socially creative activities form an integral part. Ryan et al. (2018) suggest that social and creative activities offer individuals experiences to increase their understanding of themselves and others. The purpose of this study is to complete a service evaluation exploring how people who live on an OPD PIPE in a woman’s prison make sense of their experiences of a drumming, singing and ceremony group, which was offered to them as part of their provision PIPE.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with six service users (between 19 and 42 years old).FindingsThematic analysis identified three themes: emotional regulation, belonging and connectedness and humanising spaces.Research limitations/implicationsThis study used a small sample (n = 6), and all participants were accessing the same OPD provision PIPE. Further, participation was voluntary, and results found may relate to possible biases in a self-selecting sample. The interviewer knew the participants through their clinical work, and despite being informed that participation in this research project would have no bearing on their treatment pathway, some may have participated as a way to demonstrate their compliance with the overall programme. A further limitation relates to the group being evaluated on its own without a comparison group.Practical implicationsThis study has important implications for treatment delivery in prisons, as it demonstrates the therapeutic merit of social creative activities for one of the most complex, high-risk and challenging offender groups. The findings show that the specific combination of the physical act of drumming and the social act of drumming together may create an environment that allows people to heal and overcome both physical and emotional disconnections that have been caused by their trauma.Social implicationsThis study’s findings provide further understanding of the experience of people who have survived trauma.Originality/valueFindings suggest that the group provides therapeutic value, offering an alternative to traditional therapy and targets specific difficulties particularly associated with emotionally unstable and antisocial PDs. We suggest that socially creative activities form an important part of the rehabilitation process of complex, high-risk groups. Future research would benefit from focusing on the extent to which experiential learning through socially creative group participation can impact on lasting behavioural change.

The contribution of psychopathic traits and substance use in the prediction of recidivism of sexual offenders

Substance use and dependence may play an essential role in the risk of reoffending by sex offenders. Research examining the influence of substance use and dependence on the criminal behaviour of psychopathic sex offenders is limited. Alcohol and drug use have been identified as factors which promote criminal behaviour and are suspected to contribute, at least partially, to the probability of reoffending. For instance, previous research showed that elevated scores on the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) contribute to the predictability of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R) on recidivism. The current study retrospectively evaluated a database of incarcerated high-risk offenders registered in the Regional Treatment Center, Sex Offender Treatment Program (RTCSOTP); in order to assess the contribution of self-disclosed histories of alcohol and substance use and dependency have, in concert with measures of psychopathic characteristics, on the predictability of recidivism. Results of the retrospective data identified PCL-R and DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test) scores as significant predictors of sexual and violent recidivism of male inmates undergoing treatment in RTCSOTP within 5 years of their release. MAST scores, however, did not significantly contribute to the predictability of sexual and violent recidivism in this population. We conclude, drug use should be considered as an important factor when addressing recidivism in sexual offenders who demonstrate psychopathic characteristics.

Is There a Relationship Between Prison Conditions and Recidivism?

Recidivism rates after release from prison are high worldwide. While research has not shown much promise in the ability of incarceration to reduce the risk of reoffending, little attention has been paid to the variation in prison experiences. This article examines if a relationship exists between prison conditions (unit characteristics and prison climate) and recidivism, and if any such relationship can be attributed to contextual or selection effects. A combination of survey and administrative data were used from 2,366 individuals incarcerated in the Netherlands. Findings showed significant bivariate relationships between prison conditions at the unit level and reconviction within two years after release. Multivariate analyses indicated that these relationships could be explained by differences in unit composition in terms of criminal history variables. These results demonstrate the importance of considering the prison unit in analyses of prison effects, and controlling for non-random assignment of individuals to units.

L’impulsivité est-elle liée aux risques de récidive sexuelle, violente et générales des auteurs d’infractions à caractère sexuel d’enfants et d’adultes ?

Scales to assess an offender's risk of re-offending are based on risk factors. Impulsivity is often considered as treatment targets to prevent recidivism in sexual offenders. But the link between impulsivity and recidivism is barely detailed or contradictory. This study tries to examine these links in child's molesters and sexual offenders of adults. MethodIn all, 33 incarcerated adult male sexual offenders were having been divided in two groups: 25 sexual offenders of children and 8 sexual offenders of adults. Sexual offenders of children were assessed using the Static-2002, RSVP and UPPS and sexual offenders of adults were assessing using RSVP, HCR-20, LS/CMI and UPPS. Non-parametric correlation analyses (Spearman's Rho) were performed. Results–DiscussionFor child's molesters, Urgency showed positive relationships with sexual risk, referring to the emotional sensitivity of sexual offenders in social situations. Surprisingly, Sensationseeking was negatively related to sexual risk, which could be explained by the seriousness of the offences committed. For sexual offenders of adults, impulsivity sub-domains Lack of premeditation, Urgency and Sensation seeking show strong links with the risk of general recidivism and in particular the factors associated with Education and employment, Leisure and recreational activities and Alcohol and drug problems. A reflection on the evaluation of individual situational factors in interaction with psychological factors of high-risk sexual offenders is developed.

The Psychological Impact of Participation in Victim-Offender Mediation on Offenders: Evidence for Increased Compunction and Victim Empathy.

Participation in victim-offender mediation (VOM) can reduce the risk of reoffending. However, relatively little is known about how VOM affects the intermediate psychological changes underlying this effect. It was hypothesized that VOM increases feelings of responsibility, guilt, and shame among offenders as well as empathy toward the victim. It was also expected that VOM leads to feelings of moral failure among offenders, increasing their intention to desist, and improving their relation with the victim, relatives, and community. Lastly, it was hypothesized that offenders may experience reduced rejection, concerns about condemnation, threat to their social moral identity, and victim blame following VOM. To this end, we compared psychological changes in offenders who participated in a VOM program in the Netherlands with those of offenders who were willing to but did not participate (total N = 86). A quasi-experimental, pre- and postmeasure research design was used to compare these groups. Our findings tentatively suggest that offenders who participate in VOM have more responsibility-taking and victim empathy, feel more guilt and shame, and experience higher moral failure than offenders who do not participate in VOM do. Offenders also reported feeling significantly less awkward about meeting the victim again after VOM. Future research should address how and to what degree these psychological changes translate into a lower risk of reoffending.

Digital Tools to Predict Reoffending Risk in Men Convicted of Sexual Offences

Digital Tools to Predict Reoffending Risk in Men Convicted of Sexual Offences

Criminal Justice Alcohol and Drug Screening in Practice: Using the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory to Identify Substance Use Disorder in Offenders

Objective The substance abuse subtle screening inventory (SASSI) has been used successfully in correctional treatment settings and correctional screening since 1988. These screenings include outpatient evaluations of offenders within community settings, as well as assessments of incarcerated individuals within federal, state, city, and county correctional facilities. One key element towards reducing recidivism and reoffending, is that individuals receive treatment for substance use disorders (SUD’s) while in the correctional system. While SUD is not the only contributing factor to criminality, it does significantly increase the likelihood of legal infraction and violations, placing these individuals at a higher risk of re-offending. Thus, identifying SUD as early as possible helps provide tailored treatment to those who need it, while simultaneously reducing the risk of future legal difficulties. Now in its fourth iteration (SASSI-4), this article discusses the SASSI screening tools’ utility with criminal offenders and serving clinical needs, and reviews a case study of a young male’s clinical evaluation while incarcerated. Results For this case study, we reviewed the SASSI-4 screening results of a 24-year-old male whom we will call "Bryon". Bryon was in his 4th week of detention at a local mid-western jail in the United States. He was arrested after turning himself in for a prior domestic violence offense committed while under the influence of alcohol and for which he had fled the state. Bryon had one prior arrest (for receiving stolen property, which he subsequently traded for drugs). The intake counselor conducting Bryon’s assessment had been meeting with him at the jail for several weeks. The court was particularly interested in determining the level of risk that Bryon would again flee the area. Conclusion This case presents us with a good example of the value of early identification of substance use disorder, and potential problems in criminal justice settings. Bryon's SASSI results clearly demonstrate a well-established pattern of substance misuse that will require relatively intensive intervention. Therefore, he may be a solid candidate for diversion into an alcohol and drug treatment program as a way of reducing the risk of future offenses.

“Who’s Out There?” Modeling Innovation in Juvenile Justice Through a Campus-Community Partnership

While a traditional approach to juvenile justice in the United States proscribes punishment based on a young person’s offense, innovative juvenile courts across the country are developing a more individualized approach based on assessed risk of reoffending. Treating juvenile justice as an opportunity to participate in the holistic development of youth is time and resource intensive, and models for implementation are needed. This case study uses the theoretical frameworks of cross-sector collaboration and social justice leadership to examine how one juvenile court system in the southern United States partnered with a university service-learning program and nonprofit organizations in the community to implement a matrix of services for addressing assessed needs in their court.

Changes in the Risk of Sexual Reoffending: The Role and Relevance of Perceived Self-Efficacy and Adult Attachment Styles in Correctional Treatment.

According to the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model, treatment effectiveness increases when treatment addresses all three associated core principles. While researchers have focused on the risk and need principles, responsivity remains under-investigated. The theoretical foundation of the RNR model and former research indicates low perceived self-efficacy and inadequate adult attachment styles as potential responsivity factors that can impede treatment of the underlying risk factors. This study assesses firstly whether these factors predict treatment attrition, and secondly changes in the assessed risk of sexual reoffending. Participants were N = 146 men sentenced for sexual offenses in a German social-therapeutic correctional facility. Younger age, higher number of previous convictions, and higher scores on the interpersonal facet of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised are associated with a higher risk of treatment attrition. Unemployment prior to incarceration was found to be an aggravating factor, whereas substance abuse emerged as a mitigating factor, according reducing the risk of reoffending. Neither pre-treatment self-efficacy nor attachment styles revealed as responsivity factors in this study. Future studies should examine if the consideration of these factors during treatment might impact treatment outcomes.

The association between self-reported traumatic brain injury, neuropsychological function, and compliance among people serving community sentences.

Traumatic brain injury is overrepresented in incarcerated samples and has been linked to a number of poor correctional outcomes. Despite this, no research has explored the impact of a recent TBI on compliance outcomes for individuals serving community-based. We screened for a history of TBI in 106 adults on community sentences and collected compliance (arrests, sentence violations) and related variables (e.g., risk scores, substance use) over 6 months. Sixty-four participants also completed the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the Comprehensive Trail Making Test and Color-Word Inference Test. A TBI in the last year predicted a significantly higher likelihood of arrest, even when controlling for risk of reconviction and current substance use, but was not associated with non-compliance with sentence conditions nor with performance on the neuropsychological tests. In addition, no significant associations were found between performance on neuropsychological tests and measures of non-compliance. TBI in the last year was an independent predictor of arrest. This result suggests that those with a recent TBI on a community sentence may need additional monitoring or support to reduce the risk of reoffending.