Observed Change in STABLE-2007 Scores Among Adult Males on Parole Participating in Treatment for Sexual Offending

The STABLE-2007 is a risk assessment tool used in sexual offending treatment programs to identify and monitor changes in criminogenic needs. We conducted multilevel growth curve analyses to examine changes in STABLE-2007 scores over a four-year period among 873 parolees participating in treatment programs for sexual offending in California. We observed a small yet significant decline in STABLE-2007 scores over the course of treatment, though the magnitude of this decline did not result in changes in the combined Static-99R/STABLE-2007 risk levels. Higher Static-99R scores at the start of treatment were associated with a weaker decline in STABLE-2007 scores over time, whereas higher STABLE-2007 scores were associated with a stronger decline in STABLE-2007 scores over time. We contextualize our findings by considering treatment program factors that may affect the extent of change in criminogenic needs, as well as the limitations of the STABLE-2007 in detecting meaningful clinical change. These findings suggest that STABLE-2007 scores may change gradually in routine treatment settings, while highlighting the importance of distinguishing score change from meaningful changes in overall risk.