FAQs

Welcome! Answers to general and item-specific frequently asked questions are provided for clinicians and researchers who are trained in the SAPROF-SO by one of the authors. If you cannot find answers to your questions, please email them to SAPROF-SO@auckland.ac.nz.

General

What is a controlled versus uncontrolled environment?

Some items make reference to observing a protective factor for a given period of time in an uncontrolled environment (e.g., prosocial sexual interests). An uncontrolled environment is defined as an environment with enough freedom for the individual to make choices that would demonstrate the presence or absence of the protective factor. Most community settings will be uncontrolled, whereas most prison/institution settings will be controlled.

By item

Motivation for managing risk

  1. How do I rate this item when the client demonstrates no ongoing risk factors that require managing?

In mid-2020 the criteria for an “N/A” rating were aligned with the 5-level risk and needs system developed by the Justice Centre of the Council of State Governments (Hanson, Bourgon, et al., 2017). N/A is recorded when an individual is assessed in the level I or II risk category for sexual recidivism based on a combined static and dynamic risk assessment.

Work

  1. How do i rate this item if someone is retired?

If someone is retired and not working at all, the protective factor is absent and scored “O”. Although absent, it would unlikely constitute a “goal” for an individual who is retired. Note also that some individuals might continue casual or voluntary work in retirement, in which case the protective factor may be present to varying extents (consult scoring guidelines to assign an appropriate score).

  1. I work in an institution and full time work is rarely available. Can an individual in such settings receive more than a 2?

If an individual is institutionalised and is prevented from working full time, but works more jobs/hours than required, identifies that work is meaningful and intrinsically motivating or sees it as a stepping stone, and receives positive work evaluations, they may be assigned a 3.