Examining Gender-Responsive Risk Factors That Predict Recidivism for People Convicted of Cybercrimes

This study sought to explore the role of gender-responsive approaches to reduce reoffending for women convicted of cybercrimes by comparing and contrasting the risk and needs assessment results among women and men convicted of cybercrimes in the United States. Assessments from 4457 individuals convicted of cybercrimes (both cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent) during 2005–2015 were included in this study. The domains from assessment results were used to examine the types of risk factors (or criminogenic needs) that predicted revocation by gender. Results demonstrated mixed support for gender-responsive risk factors. The criminal history domain was the strongest predictor for both genders, but the education and employment domain was not predictive for either gender. A measure related to mental health was found to predict risk reoffend among women and not men; however, findings provided support for other needs regardless of gender. Implications for gender-responsive policy and cybercrime are discussed.