The Minnesota SOST and Sexual Reoffending in North Dakota: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Using the Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool (MnSOST), 26 sex offenders (SOs) released fromthe North Dakota StatePenitentiary (NDSP) from1993 to 1994 were rated retrospectively. These included all 10 SOs who had been reincarcerated since release and 10 others who were chosen randomly. Scores were compared between groups and correlated with the current status of these released SOs. Contingency tables also were devised to explore the comparative utility of cutting scores in correctly classifying the data. Findings support the validity of the MnSOST in predicting sexual reoffense risk with our released SO population. Cutting points to maximally classify released SOs’risk among our population and within the time parameters of this study are described.

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