Miss Panayiota Zingirlis1,2, Associate Professor Caleb Lloyd1, Dr Janet Ruffles1, Professor Michael Daffern1
1Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne Uniiversity of Technology and Forensicare, , Australia, 2Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, , Australia
Biography:
The authors have experience across research and practice in forensic mental health and correctional settings. Yiota Zingirlis is a clinical and forensic psychologist with over 20 years experience in assessment, therapy and program development across public and private sectors. A/Prof Caleb Lloyd is a researcher examining change across corrections rehabilitation. Dr. Janet Ruffles is a lawyer and psychologist whose research interests include the interface between mental health and the law. Prof. Michael Daffern is a clinical and forensic psychologist and Director of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science. His research focuses on assessment and treatment of people who have offended.
The HCR-20 is an internationally recognised risk assessment tool used in forensic mental health settings to evaluate the potential for future violence. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of HCR-20 scores for an entire cohort of forensic patients on conditional release in New South Wales, Australia. We examined 173 individuals who were repeatedly assessed under the NSW forensic system between 2008 and 2020. The study evaluates the predictive validity of the HCR-20 in relation to reoffending outcomes. Findings provide critical insight into the tool's utility in long-term forensic management and its implications for risk assessment practices within Australian forensic services.