Psychosocial Predictors of Recidivism in Homicide and Aggravated Assault Offenders: An Exploratory Study

• In Event: Psychosocial Risk Factors over the Life Course

Abstract

Homicide and aggravated assault are intimately related, with aggravated assaults often referred to as “a failed homicide.” However, compared to homicide, aggravated assault has received very little attention in the empirical literature. The limited extant research suggests there might be overlapping characteristics and risk factors between incarcerated homicide and aggravated assault offenders, which may be due to the plea-bargaining process, rapid access to medical treatment, or shared motivations between these offender groups. This study contributes to this body of literature by comparing the recidivism risk of aggravated assault and homicide offenders in a large cohort released from Florida prisons from 2004-2011. Propensity score matching was used to identify matched groups of aggravated assault and homicide offenders that were comparable on relevant measured covariates. Survival analyses were used to explore differences in recidivism outcomes between the matched groups. Results and implications for theory and practice will be discussed.

Authors

• Raquel Velez Oliveira, Augusta University

• Jonathan C. Reid, Texas A&M University

• Samantha Brown, University of North Florida