The term SARATSO refers to evidence-based, state authorized risk assessment tools used for evaluating sex offenders. State law established the SARATSO (State Authorized Risk Assessment Tool for Sex Offenders) Review Committee, to consider the selection of the risk assessment tools for California. Research shows that the most accurate way of predicting whether a sex offender will reoffend is by utilizing a validated risk assessment instrument.
A validation study of the Static-99 risk assessment instrument, which is used to score risk of sexual reoffense by California sex offenders, shows that Static-99 assessments are very accurate in predicting sexual re-offense by a diverse California sex offender population. This study has been accepted for publication in 2014 in the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management. Risk of sexual reoffense depends on the risk level of the offender on the Static-99R. Over 27% of high risk offenders in this study reoffended within 5 years of release, while less than 1% of low risk offenders reoffended in that time period. The Static-99 was found to be very accurate in predicting who would reoffend in California. The article also describes a California SARATSO inter-rater reliability study which shows that inter-rater reliability in scoring the Static-99R is good.
What is the Containment Model?
A collaborative approach to sex offender management, known as the Containment Model, is used in California. Communication and collaboration among the supervising officer, treatment provider, and polygraph examiner are the heart of this model, which relies on ongoing communication about risk.
In September 2013 the SARATSO Committee selected a new dynamic risk tool, the Stable-2007/Acute-2007. Certified treatment providers must continue to use the previous dynamic instrument, the SRA-FVL, until being trained by a SARATSO-approved trainer in 2013-2014 on the Stable-2007/Acute-2007.
The SARATSO Committee will do a presentation on the Containment Model for judges, or for stakeholders in the sex offender management community, on request. Click here to see the flyer.