NCJ Number
130338
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 180-194
Date Published
1991
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The Young Offender-Level of Service Inventory (YO-LSI) was assessed regarding its predictive ability of predatory behavior in young offenders in a secure custody unit in Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
Predator classification is based on a pattern of aggressive behavior directed at other residents. Two hundred fifty-one consecutive admissions ranging in age from 16 to 19 were administered the YO-LSI by a psychologist. The 76 items of the YO-LSI were categorized into 7 subcategories: criminal history, substance abuse, education/employment, family, peer relations, accommodations, and psychological variables. Other measures included the Criminal Sentiments Scale (CSS), which measures antisocial attitudes, beliefs, and values directly related to criminal activity as well as height and weight of the participants. Twenty-eight of the study group subsequently displayed aggressive behavior toward other residents and had to be isolated. The predators had consistently higher scores than the nonpredators on the CSS, on the YO-LSI total, and on the YO-LSI subtotal except for accommodations. The YO-LSI distinguished predator from nonpredator and demonstrated interobserver reliability and internal consistency. 2 tables and 33 references (Author abstract modified)