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Effectiveness of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire in Predicting Offenders' Postrelease Outcome: A Comparison Study

NCJ Number
186942
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2001 Pages: 105-121
Author(s)
Wagdy Loza; Amel Loza-Fanous
Date Published
February 2001
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examines the effectiveness of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire in predicting offenders' postrelease outcome.
Abstract
The Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) was administered along with four similar, but clinician-administered, measures to 68 federally sentenced Canadian male offenders prior to their release into the community. Data were collected for a 2-year follow-up period at six 4-month intervals. Outcome criteria measures were general recidivism, violent recidivism, and any failure (a composite measure recording failure on any of the following variables: negative parole reports, violation of parole conditions, incurring new charges, or a new conviction). The SAQ was the most economical of the comparable tools, and was at least as effective as the four other measures in predicting postrelease outcome. The advantages of using the SAQ are that it: (1) is convenient and economical; (2) has simple instructions; (3) can be administered by paraprofessionals; (4) can be administered in group sessions; (5) can be interpreted with minimal expenditure of professional time and with minimal training; (6) incorporates a large proportion of dynamic risk factors; and (7) as a self-report, ensures more objectivity and reduces the possibility of assessor biases. Tables, figures, references

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