This Diploma thesis engages in problematic of the identification of needs and evaluation of risks by offenders of crime acts in the standpoint of developing the prediction tool, which could be used as a common tool in a prison and justice profession. This thesis is divided into two parts - the theoretical one and the empirical one. In the first - theoretical - part I introduce the basic concept of the evaluation of risks and its utilization in current prediction tools. I also mention here a historical development of these tools and their dividing according to the usage of statistical or dynamical factors. After that I also shortly introduce these days most common used tools in other countries. Then I focus on the development of czech (czechoslovak) evaluation tools and their specifics. Last chapter of the theoretical part introduces SARPO project in the meaning of slight description of its history and showing main ideas. Data analysis is based on dataset from SARPO 1 research (2009), which had to verify SARPO 1 utility tool. Besides the presentation of results and characteristics of dataset I will verify the propriety of designed mathematical model for calculation of risk through first and also second validization essay. Part of the analysis is also suggestion of alternative model for prediction...

Magister Artium - MA / This study aims to explore the family environment of non-admitting sex offenders in order to gain insight into the family characteristics that could be contributing factors towards the behaviour of denial. However, the focus will not be on the families of the sex offenders, but rather on the non-admitting sex offenders’ views of their family environment. The theoretical framework used is the Social Learning Theory, because it supports the fact that most behaviour is learned through modelling the behaviour of others. The researcher used a qualitative approach and the aim of the study was to generate information that would describe the family environment of non-admitting sex offenders. The population of this study was incarcerated, sentenced sex offenders with specific focus on the non-admitting sex offender as the unit of analysis. Ten (10) participants were purposively selected for the study and semi-structured interviews were conducted with each one in order to generate the needed information for the study

Misconduct, antisocial and offending (criminal) behaviour is becoming a problem in South African schools and maintaining discipline in schools is facing many challenges. Current practices do not solve disciplinary challenges. This study reflects upon the discipline system in South African schools as well as risk factors playing a role in possible offences, by means of a case study. An enormous number of learners are still experiencing difficulties concerning their education because of their disadvantaged position in South Africa. In cases where there are disruptions of the learning process due to ill-discipline and antisocial behaviour, it leads to unsuccessful education in a country where there are already obstacles underlying the foundation of the education system. It is important to have an effective disciplinary system implemented in schools. The discipline system in South African schools, currently, views a learner as an offender, when behaviour is such that it is against the school’s rules. The focus is then on proving the offender guilty and then punishing him/her in order to proof that responsibility is taken by the school for his/her actions. The learner punished, in some cases rebel and this leads to further divergent behaviour. In the current school discipline system, the victim plays no role in the process and the changes needed in the discipline process should include the victim. The discipline process should move from a punitive to a restorative system. In a restorative discipline system, intervention plays an important role. The study also places focus on identifying possible risk behaviour at an early age and explored risk factors that may play a role in the management of discipline related concerns and conduct. This process plays a significant role in the intervention process, as learners can be identified and counselled before offending behaviour takes place or intervention can take place the moment that the learner is involved in deviant behaviour. Dynamic risk factors, for example antisocial friends, antisocial behaviour and lack of respect for authority can be addressed through restorative rather than punitive intervention. This study was also directed to develop a South African theoretical framework to be used by schools and the Department of Education, as an alternative to the current punitive system through the application of restorative practices as a support to troubled learners. / Criminal and Procedural Law

Thèse de doctorat présenté en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en psychologie - recherche intervention, option psychologie clinique (Ph.D) / Evaluating treatment programs specialized in treating sexual offenders and reducing recidivism, especially sexual recidivism, is of great importance to the general public and policy makers because of the many physical and psychological consequences these crimes have on the victims and their families. The present study evaluated the changes that occurred in moderate to high risk sexual offenders who followed a specialized community treatment program. In order to accomplish this, gains during treatment and their ability to predict lower recidivism rates was examined using three different methods of measurement: risk assessment, self-reports, and phallometric testing. Change scores were derived from the Stable-2007 and its three dimensions (i.e., antisociality, sexual deviance, and hypersexuality); the Molest and Rape Scale; the Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire; and phallometric testing. Measures were administered pre- and posttreatment in a sample of 105 adult male sexual offenders with adult and child victims. Recidivism data were obtained from official criminal records. The average follow-up period for participants was of 12 years postrelease. Findings were indicative of significant positive changes in dynamic risk factors as measured by the Stable-2007 and its three dimensions; in PSIs as measured by the Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire and phallometric testing; but not in cognitive distortions as measured by the Molest and Rape Scale. The majority of change scores were non significantly associated with reductions in sexual, violent, or general recidivism after controlling for pretreatment and static risk. Comparing the different methods of measurement in their ability to capture changes and predict recidivism was unable to be done due to the lack of significant results. The following study is only the second to examine treatment change on the Stable-2007 and its relationship to recidivism, and the first examining treatment change in its three different dimensions. Although the program seemed to be effective in reducing certain dynamic risk factors, the relationships between treatment change and lower recidivism rates, especially sexual recidivism remains unclear. More studies examining treatment change on specific dynamic risk factors using different measures are needed to establish more comprehensive conclusions about which dynamic risk factors are more susceptible to change and most effective if reducing recidivism rates. / L’évaluation des traitements visant la réduction des taux de récidives, surtout sexuelle, chez les agresseurs sexuels est un sujet de grande importance due aux conséquences physiques et psychologiques que ces crimes ont sur les victimes et leurs familles. Pour ces raisons, la présente étude avait comme objectif principal d’évaluer des changements suivant la participation d’un programme de traitement en communauté spécialisé dans le traitement d’agresseur sexuel à risque et aux besoins modérés à élevés. Pour accomplir ceci, les gains acquis sur différents facteurs de risques dynamiques et leurs capacités de prédire la récidive ont été examinés. Les gains ont été mesurés en utilisant une échelle d’évaluation du risque dynamique de récidive, des questionnaires auto-rapportées et des évaluations phallométriques. La Stable-2007 et ses trois dimensions (c.-à-d. antisocial, déviance sexuelle, et hypersexualité) ont été utilisées pour mesurer plusieurs facteurs de risques dynamiques, le Molest and Rape Scale ont été utilisés pour mesurer les distorsions cognitives, et le Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire et l’évaluation phallométrique ont été utilisés pour mesurer les intérêts sexuels paraphiliques. Toutes les mesures ont été administrées pré et posttraitement à 105 agresseurs sexuels avec des victimes soit adultes et/ou enfants ayant complété le programme de traitement. Les données de récidives ont été obtenues des dossiers criminels officiels avec une période de suivi moyenne de 12 ans. Suite à la complétion du programme de traitement, il y a eu des gains significatifs sur les facteurs de risque dynamiques mesurés par la Stable-2007 et ses trois dimensions, et sur les intérêts sexuels paraphiliques mesurés par le Sexual Interest Cardsort Questionnaire et l’évaluation phallométrique. Cependant, aucune amélioration n’a été trouvée pour les distorsions cognitives. En examinant la relation prédictive entre les gains sur ces mesures et les taux de récidives, la majorité des changements positifs n’étaient pas significativement associés à des réductions de taux de récidive sexuel, violent et général, après avoir contrôlé pour le risque prétraitement et statique. Due aux résultats non-significatives, la capacité des différentes mesures à identifier des changements et prédire la récidive n’a pas pu être comparé. Cette étude est la deuxième étude examinant des changements pré à posttraitement sur la Stable-2007 et la première à examiner ses changements sur les trois dimensions de la Stable-2007. Même si le programme de traitement évalué semble être capable de produire des changements positifs dans certains facteurs de risque dynamiques, la relation entre ces gains et leurs capacités de prédire des taux plus bas de récidives reste contradictoire et incertaine. Plus d’études examinant les gains sur des facteurs risques dynamiques spécifiques en utilisant différentes mesures sont nécessaires avant de pouvoir vraiment établir les facteurs dynamiques les plus susceptibles à changer et prédire des taux de récidive plus bas.