Use and perceived utility of structured violence risk assessments in English medium secure forensic units

Abstract

Aims and method: We surveyed the usage and perceived utility of standardised risk measures in 29 forensic medium secure units (a 62% response rate). Results: The most common instruments were Historical Clinical Risk-20 (HCR-20) and Psychopathy Checklist - revised (PCL-R); both were rated highly for utility. The Risk Matrix 2000 (RM2000), Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide (SORAG) and Static-99 were the most common sex offender assessments, but the Sexual Violence Risks-20 (SVR-20) was rated more positively for its use of dynamic factors and relevance to treatment. Clinical implications: Most medium secure units use structured risk assessments and staff view them positively. As HCR-20 and PCL-R/PCL-SV (Psychopathy Checklist - Screening Version) are so widely used they should be the first choices considered by other services.