Violence risk assessment in Lithuania

Abstract

Evaluating the risk of violence and re-offending with recognized and validated instruments is a new practice in Baltic countries such as Lithuania. Actuarial assessment and structured professional judgment methods were developed in North American and Western European nations and have recently been adjusted to local settings for research and practice. The present manuscript reviews research, contemporary practice, and relevant policies regarding violence risk assessment in the Baltic region. Specifically, the focus will be on the implementation and patterns of use for risk assessment instruments in Lithuania. The correctional and forensic mental health systems of the country will be described, followed by an overview of government-supported risk assessment tools. The manuscript reviews Lithuanian research on these tools and offers directions for future research and practice.