Evaluating the predictive accuracy of six risk assessment instruments for adult sex offenders

Five actuarial instruments and one guided clinical instrument designed to a ssess risk for recidivism were compared on 215 sex offenders released from prison for an average of 4.5 years. The Violence Risk Appraisal Guide, Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide, Rapid Risk Assessment of Sexual Offense Reci divism, and Static-99 predicted general recidivism, serious (violent and se xual) recidivism, and sexual recidivism. The Minnesota Sex Offender Screeni ng Tool-Revised and a guided clinical assessment (Multifactorial Assessment of Sex Offender Risk for Recidivism) predicted general recidivism but did not significantly predict serious or sexual recidivism. On its own, the Psy chopathy Checklist-Revised predicted general and serious recidivism but not sexual recidivism. The results support the utility of an actuarial approac h to risk assessment of sex offenders.