The Utility of the J-SOAP-II and the PCL:YV in the Prediction of Institutional Sexual Misconduct

In juvenile residential sex-offender-specific treatment settings, institutional management of sexual misconduct represents one of the many challenges faced by treatment providers. The ability of clinicians to discern those most likely to prey on more vulnerable youth could inform appropriate placement within these facilities and minimize incidences of victimization. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the Juvenile Sexual Offender Assessment Protocol-II (J-SOAP-II; Prentky & Righthand, 2003) and the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV; Forth et al., 2003) in the prediction of nonconsensual sexual misconduct within a male juvenile sexual offender residential treatment program. Along with Factor 1 (Interpersonal) scores of the PCL:YV, results showed that J-SOAP-II Total scores and Scale 1 (Sexual Drive/Preoccupation) scores significantly predicted which juveniles were more likely to engage in nonconsensual institutional sexual misconduct. However, J-SOAP-II Scale 2 (Impulsive/Antisocial) scores and PCL:YV Factor 4 (Antisocial) scores did not significantly differentiate those juveniles who were more likely to engage in nonconsensual institutional sexual misconduct. The implications of these findings are discussed, which includes the identification of possible cut-off scores when using the J-SOAP-II and the PCL:YV with this population.