Evaluating the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) Predictors of Revocation and Early Release in Adult Felony Probation

Although much is known about recidivism risk, less is known about factors predicting early release. The current study analyses a sample of 2,070 adult felony probation clients to see if offense characteristics, domains from the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS), and demographic variables impact both revocation and successful early release. Results revealed that predictors of early release mirrored those of revocation with one exception—race. Specifically, Black clients were 27% less likely to be granted early release. The findings highlight the TRAS is an effective tool to help mitigate bias for revocation of probation but not for granting early release

The Police Personality : Is it Real?

Much research has discussed the police personality. Yet, it is still unclear what particular traits make up the police personality—or whether it exists at all. This can be partially attributed to the limited availability of data collected within individual police departments. Using a nationally representative sample of adults (Add Health), the current study examines whether the Big Five personality traits, temperamental characteristics, and empirically informed covariates are related to being a police officer. Results indicate that, compared to the general population, individuals in law enforcement score significantly lower on openness to experience. Police officers are also more likely than non-officers to have experienced divorce, served in the military, lean politically conservative, and be male. These findings provide partial support for the notion that there are distinct factors that define the police personality

Examining the Impact of Peer Group Selection on Self-Reported Delinquency

Research has yet to discount all sources of confounding in the relationship between an individual’s delinquent behavior and that of his or her peers. One approach is to control for an active gene–environment correlation ( rGE). Active rGE occurs when one selects into an environment based on genetic propensities. The current study utilizes twin data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine the impact of a direct measure of peer delinquency on self-reported delinquency while controlling for active rGE. The final analytic sample ranged between 456 and 524 dizygotic and 286 and 350 monozygotic twins, depending on the measures being analyzed. Using an augmented version of the DeFries–Fulker model, results revealed the peer effect was no longer statistically significant once genetic confounding (active rGE) was controlled. These findings support selection arguments and run counter to learning theory explanations.</jats:p

Beauty is only skin deep: An examination of physical attractiveness, attractive personality, and personal grooming on criminal justice outcomes.

Research has found that physical attractiveness is related to a host of benefits across life outcomes. Within the field of criminal justice, physical attractiveness appears to afford individuals leniency at various decision points. This research, however, often fails to include measures of personal presentation beyond simply measuring physical attractiveness. The current study extends this line of research by investigating how physical attractiveness, personality attractiveness, and grooming are related to criminal justice processing decisions. Results from negative binomial and logistic regression analyses indicate that when assessed alone, physical attractiveness significantly decreased the odds of criminal behavior by 18 percent, arrest by 11 percent, conviction by 14 percent, and incarceration by 28 percent-controlling for race, age, and gender. When controlling for personality and grooming, however, physical attractiveness results in a 47 to 53 percent increase in the risk of experiencing these outcomes while having an attractive personality and being well-groomed significantly reduced such risk. These results highlight the importance of considering other factors of appearance and personal presentation when considering how attractiveness influences criminal justice outcomes

The impact of attractiveness, personality, and grooming on criminal justice outcomes for females.

The impact of attractiveness, personality, and grooming on criminal justice outcomes for females.</p

The impact of attractiveness, personality, and grooming on criminal justice outcomes.

The impact of attractiveness, personality, and grooming on criminal justice outcomes.</p