Risk Assessment in Habitual Offenders With Substance Use Problems: A Quasi-Prospective Study of the Predictive Validity of the HKT-30

The predictive validity of the Dutch risk assessment instrument HKT-30 was investigated with a quasi-prospective design in a sample of habitual offenders with a substance use disorder (SUD). The study is reported according to RAGEE guidelines. The HKT-30 is an extension of the HCR-20. Files of 89 patients were coded and recidivism data were requested from the Ministry of Justice. Total scale scores and scores of the Clinical and Future scales were significantly predictive of recidivism for 1 and 2 years of time at risk, respectively. In contrast to earlier studies into recidivism, the H-scale had no predictive value. Regression analysis showed that the Clinical and Future scales contributed to the explanation of variance in recidivism, but not independently from each other. The conclusion is that the HKT-30 is a useful instrument for discovering risk factors and predicting recidivism for the population of habitual offenders with an SUD.

Psychological Aspects of Juvenile Delinquency

In this address to probation officers or trainee probation officers, Winnicott discusses moral, legal and psychological responses to anti-social behaviour, and what they mean for treatment. He concludes that the probation officer has to be prepared to keep his own desires out and concentrate on the child offender instead. Probation workers are unpopular, especially with the police, because in examining the roots of anti-social behaviour we identify with the criminal. Habitual offenders cannot usually be helped, although character disturbance can be helped if found early. Winnicott advises that if steady development can be provided, the potential delinquent may make use of a second chance.