Violent predators are offenders, particularly sexual offenders, a group who appear to be hunters or predators and violently sexually assault citizens. Violent predators tend to be thought of as ‘psychopaths’ but not all psychopaths are violent offenders. Sexually violent predator determinations demand rigorous evaluations of relevant factors that are validated by empirical evidence.
Sexually violent predator laws have three elements: That the person has been convicted of a sexually violent offense, that the person suffers from a mental abnormality and personality disorder, which causes serious difficulty controlling sexually violent behavior, that this mental abnormality or personality disorder makes the person likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence.
Factors Predicting
Selection of Sexually Violent Predators for Civil Commitment
This study investigated the degree to which independent variables predicted civil
commitment selection in a sample of 450 sexual offenders evaluated for civil commitment as
sexually violent predators under Florida’s Jimmy Ryce Act. Using logistic regression, this
study examined the relationship between the dependent variable, commitment recommendation,
and several sets of independent variables. Results revealed that the
statistically
significant difference predictors of recommendations for sex offender civil commitment were diagnoses
of pedophilia and paraphilia not otherwise specified. Discriminant function analysis
confirmed that these variables correctly predicted commitment recommendations in 90% of
cases. - Jill S. Levenson, Lynn University, John W. Morin, Oakbrook Counseling Center.
Sexually Violent Predators: The Risky Enterprise of Risk Assessment
Richard Rogers, PhD and Rebecca L. Jackson, PhD J
Am Acad Psychiatry Law 33:4:523-528 (2005).
Forensic experts are increasingly asked to consult in sexually violent predator (SVP)
determinations. The substantive criteria for sexually violent predator standards vary
substantially across jurisdictions, but typically include complex judgments regarding
volitional impairment and predictive statements focused specifically on sexual violence. A
common but questionable practice is the retrofitting of generic risk-assessment measures
to address sexually violent predator criteria.
The civil commitment of
sexually violent predators: a unique Texas approach
RK Bailey.
Numerous states have enacted statutes focusing on the civil commitment of sexually violent
predators. The Texas statute, like many others, calls for the involuntary commitment of
those with a mental abnormality--specifically in Texas, a behavioral abnormality--who are
likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence. All of these states, except Texas,
have passed legislation creating inpatient treatment for those persons committed.
Sexually Violent Predators in the Courtroom: Science on Trial - ROBERT A. PRENTKY, ERIC S. JANUS, HOWARD BARBAREE, BARBARA K. SCHWARTZ, MARTIN KAFKA, Psychology, Policy, and Law, 2006, William Mitchell Legal Studies Research Paper No. 50. Abstract: Adjudication of sexually violent predator commitment laws places demands on science.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS WHO WERE REFERRED TO AN INTENSIVE
TREATMENT - UNIT FOR DISRUPTIVE SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS
ABSTRACT: This multi-faceted study describes, explores and compares characteristics of a
subset of disruptive Sexually Violent Predators (SVP) hospitalized at Atascadero State
Hospital under section 6600 of the State of California Welfare and Institutions Code. The
subset met the criteria for referral to an Intensive Treatment Unit for disruptive
Sexually Violent Predators.
This subset of Sexually Violent Predators participated in treatment less often, and was
more often physically and verbally aggressive to both staff and other patients.
ITU-referred Sexually Violent Predators were also found to be more often in the severe
range of Psychopathy when compared with other Sexually Violent Predators.
Clinical and demographic differences between sexually violent predators and other
commitment types in a state forensic hospital
- James Vess, School of Psychology Victoria University, Carolyn Murphy,
Atascadero State Hospital California, Steve Arkowitz, Liberty Conditional
Release Program - Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology.
Abstract: Sexual offenders who are involuntarily civilly committed to a secure
state hospital as Sexually Violent Predators appear to differ significantly from other
current patient populations. Demographically, sexually violent predators are older and
more predominantly Caucasian than other patients. They are less frequently psychotic than
patients committed under other state statutes such as those found incompetent to stand
trial, not guilty by reason of insanity and mentally ill prison transfers. Another salient
dimension which distinguishes sexually violent predators is the degree of psychopathy
observed in these patients. As a group, sexually violent predators display only slightly
higher levels of psychopathy than other patient groups as measured by the revised
Psychopathy Checklist.