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

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.