THE CRIMINAL SENTIMENTS SCALE - PREDICTIVE-VALIDITY IN A SAMPLE OF VIOLENT AND SEX OFFENDERS

This study investigated the predictive validity of the Criminal Sentim ents Scale (CSS: Gendreau, Grant. Leipciger, & Collins. 1979) within a sample of violent and sex offenders using conviction and failure on c onditional release as the criterion variables. The CSS was completed b y 130 male offenders (65 sex offenders and 65 violent offenders) comme ncing a sentence of greater than two years in a Canadian federal insti tution. Average time at risk for the sample was 16 months. Arrest and conviction rates for violent offenders and sex offenders were 24.6% an d 13.8% respectively, overall failure on release resulting in reincarc eration was 41.5% and 18.5% respectively. The results showed no relati onship between the CSS and recidivism or release failure. Implications for clinical use among this population of offenders are discussed. (C ) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, inc.