Evaluating Violent Recidivism: A Qualitative Study on Sex Offenders

The literature highlights a complex array of risk factors associated with violent recidivism of sexual offenders. This study aimed to examine the risk of future violence among eight sex offenders within a detention facility in southern Italy. This was achieved through an exploration of various cognitive, emotional, and social factors, with the aim of identifying strategies for risk prevention and offering tailored recommendations for the management of violent recidivism risk. Evaluations involved evaluative-psychological interviews, review of psychological reports from their prison observation period, court documents, and comprehensive analysis of each subject’s psychosocial functioning and history of violent behaviour. Factors such as delinquent culture, family poverty, lack of parental figures, and conflicted family relationships were identified as influential in the life histories of these individuals. Additionally, early involvement in criminal activities, unstable emotional bonds, and deficiencies in education and relationships were seen as contributing factors to sexually deviant behaviour, including coercion and physical violence.