Ralph Serin

Biography

Dr. Serin received his Ph.D. from Queen’s University in 1988 and has been registered with the Ontario College of Psychologists since 1990. From 1975 to 2003 he was employed with the Correctional Service of Canada in various capacities. Most recently he was the Director, Operations and Programs Research with the Research Branch. In July 2003 he accepted a faculty position at Carleton University in the Department of Psychology where he is now an Associate Professor teaching forensic and correctional psychology courses. He has published in the areas of crime desistance, parole, treatment readiness and responsivity, risk assessment, psychopathy, sexual offenders, and the assessment and treatment of violent offenders.Since 1991 he has been a psychological consultant to the Ministry of Correctional Services at Brockville Jail. Since 2003 he has provided consultation services to the National Parole Board of Canada regarding training and evaluation in the area of release decision making; Correctional Service of Canada regarding case management decision-making and correctional programming; the Department of Justice of Canada; and the National Institute of Corrections regarding parole and evidence-based practice, and the Departments of Corrections in Bermuda, Hong Kong and New Zealand regarding violent offenders, dynamic risk assessment and offender change, and the Ontario Parole and Earned Remission Board regarding risk assessment and parole decision-making.

Research Interests

Current research topics include correctional programming (evaluation, measurement of readiness and gain, factors influencing program drop-out, crime desistance); violent offenders (pathways to desistance, typologies, specialized intervention and management); and, decision-making (dynamic risk, strategies, competencies, and factors influencing accuracy).

Publications

BOOKS:

Serin, R.C., Forth, A.E., Brown, S.L., Nunes, K.L., Bennell, C., & Pozzulo, J.D. (2010). Criminal Behaviour: A Psychological Perspective. Pearson Publishing.

Motiuk, L.L. & Serin, R.C. (2001). Compendium 2000 on effective corrections. Correctional Service Canada, Ministry of Supply and Services.

CHAPTERS IN EDITED BOOKS:

Serin, R.C. & Gobeil, R. (in press). Parole decision making. In B. L. Cutler (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Psychology and Law. Sage Publications.

Gobeil, R.& Serin , R.C. (2010). Parole Decision-Making: Contributions from Research. In J. Brown and E. Campbell’s Cambridge Handbook of Forensic Psychology, pp. 251-258. Cambridge University Press.

Serin, R.C., Kennedy, S.M., Mailloux, D.L, Hanby, L.J. (2010). The Origins of Treatment Readiness. In Transition to Better Lives, Andrew Day, Sharon Casey, Tony Ward, Kevin Howells, & Jim Vess (Eds), pp. 12-26. Willan Publishing.

Serin, R. C., Lloyd, C. D., & Hanby, L. J. (2009). Transition from crime: Understanding offender success. Psychology Aotearoa, 1, 29-35.

Serin, R.C. & Brown, S.L. (2005). Social Cognition in Psychopaths: Implications for offender assessment and treatment. In M. McMurran and J. McGuire’s Social Problem-Solving and Offenders, pp. 249-264. London, John Wiley & Sons.

Serin, R.C. (2004). Enhancing assessment and management of violent offenders in corrections: Integration of theory and practice. In D. Fishbein (Ed.). The Science, Treatment, and Prevention of Antisocial Behaviours, Vol. 2., Civic Research Institute, New Jersey, pp. 12-1 to 12-13.

Serin, R.C. (2003). Expanding the “What Works” agenda for effective corrections: The role of correctional staff. International Community Corrections Association Monograph, 8(2). Wisconsin: Civic Research Institute.

Serin, R.C. & Mailloux, D.L. (2003). Assessment of sex offenders: Lessons learned from the assessment of non-sex offenders. In Prentky, R. & Seto, M. (Eds.). Understanding Sexually Coercive Behavior, p. 185-197. New York Academy of Sciences.

Serin, R.C. & Marshall, W.L. (2003). Personality disorders. In S.M. Turner and M. Hersen (Eds.), Adult Psychopathology and Diagnosis (Fourth Edition), p. 615-650. Wiley: NY.

Serin, R.C. & Marshall, W.L. (2002). Personality disorders. In P. Firestone and W. L. Marshall (Eds.). Abnormal Psychology Perspectives, pp. 257-279. Second edition. Prentice Hall.

Serin, R.C. (2001). Treatability, treatment responsivity, and risk management. In K.S. Douglas, C. D. Webster, S. D. Hart, D. Eaves, & J. R. P. Ogloff (Eds.). HCR-20 Violence Risk Management Companion Guide, pp. 109-118.
Mental Health, Law and Policy Institute, Simon Fraser University.

Serin, R.C. & Preston, D.L. (2001). Designing, implementing and managing treatment programs for violent offenders. In G.A. Bernfeld, D.P. Farrington, and A.W. Leischied (Eds.). Offender rehabilitation in practice: Implementing and evaluating effective programs, p.205-221. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Serin, R.C. & Preston, D.L. (2001). Managing and treating violent offenders. In J.B. Ashford, B.D. Sales, and W. Reid (Eds.). Treating adult and juvenile offenders with special needs, pp. 249-272. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Serin, R.C. & Marshall, W.L. (2000). Personality disorders. In P. Firestone and W. L. Marshall (Eds.). Abnormal Psychology Perspectives, pp. 259-284. Prentice Hall.

Serin, R.C. & Brown, S.L. (2000). The clinical use of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R) in contemporary risk assessment. In C. Gacono (Ed.), The clinical and forensic assessment of psychopathy: A practitioner’s guide, pp. 251-268. Mahwah, NJ. Erlbaum.

ARTICLES IN REFEREED JOURNALS:

Abracen, J., Looman, J., Ferguson, M., Harkins, L., Mailloux, D., Serin, R.C. (in press). Recidivism Among Treated Sexual Offenders and Comparison Subjects: Recent Outcome Data from the Regional Treatment Centre (Ontario) High Intensity Sex Offender Treatment Program. Journal of Sexual Aggression.

Lloyd, C.D. & Serin, R.C. (in press). Agency and outcome expectancies for crime desistance: Measuring offenders’ personal beliefs about change. Psychology, Crime & Law.

Nunes, K.L., Cortoni, F. & Serin, R.C. (2010). Screening Offenders for Risk of Dropout and Expulsion from Rehabilitation Programs: Enhancing Correctional Outcomes. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 15, 341–356.

Serin, R.C. (2010). Critique of Baird’s “A question of evidence”. Corrections Today, 72, 80-81.

Gobeil, R. & Serin, R. C. (2009). Preliminary Evidence of Adaptive Decision-Making Techniques Used by Parole Board Members. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 8(1), 16-24.

Fishbein, D., Sheppard, M., Hyde, C., Hubal, R., Newlin, D., Serin, R. C., Chrousos, G., & Alesci, S. (2009) Deficits in behavioural inhibition predict treatment engagement in prison inmates’ Law and Human Behavior, 33, pp. 419-435.

Rachitskiy, M., Serin, R.C., & Viki, G.T. (2009). The Use of Risk Factors Proposed by Developmental Pathways of Antisocial Behaviour in Predicting Program Attrition. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 51 (4), 511-536.

Serin, R. C., Gobeil, R., & Preston, D. L. (2009). Evaluation of the Persistently Violent Offender Treatment Program. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 53, 57-73.

Serin, R. C., & Lloyd, C. D. (2009) Examining the process of offender change: The transition to crime desistance’ Psychology, Crime, & Law, 15, pp. 347-364.

Serin, R.C. and Shturman, M. (2007). Correctional Staff’s Important Contribution to Effective Corrections. Corrections Today, 5.

Serin, R.C., Mailloux, D. L., Kennedy, S. M. (2007). Development of a clinical rating scale for offender readiness: Implications for assessment and offender change. Issues in Forensic Psychology, 7, 70-80.

Abracen, J., Looman, J., Mailloux, D.L., Serin, R.C., & Malcolm, P.B. (2005), Clarification regarding Marshall and Yate’s Critique of dosage of treatment to sexual offenders: Are we overprescribing?, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 49 (2), 225-230.

Looman, J., Abracen, J., Serin, R.C., Marquis, P. (2005). Psychopathy, treatment change and recidivism in high risk high need sexual offenders. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20 (5), 549-568.

Vitale, J., Newman, J.P., Serin, R.C., & Bolt, D.M. (2005). Hostile Attributions in Incarcerated Adult Male Offenders: An Exploration of Diverse Pathways. Aggressive Behavior, 31 (2), 99-115.

Abracen, J., Mailloux, D.L., Serin, R.C., Cousineau, C., Malcolm, P.B. & Looman,J. (2004). A model for the assessment of static and dynamic factors in sexual offenders. The Journal of Sex Research, 41 (4), 321-328.

Mailloux, D.L., Abracen, J., Serin, R.C., Abbott, T.M., Cousineau, C., Malcolm, P.B., & Looman, J. (2003). Dosage of treatment to sexual offenders: Are we overprescribing? 5 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 47, 171-184. (Independent study completed under my supervision).

Mailloux, D.L. & Serin, R.C. (2003). Sexual assaults during hostage-takings and forcible confinements: Implications for practice. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 15(3), 161-170.

Serin, R.C., Mailloux, D.L., & Malcolm, P.B. (2001). Psychopathy, deviant sexual arousal, and recidivism among sexual offenders. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16, 234-246.

Kennedy, S. & Serin, R.C. (1997). Treatment responsivity: Contributing to effective correctional programming. International Community Corrections Association Journal, 7, 46-52.

Serin, R.C. (1996). Violent recidivism in criminal psychopaths. Law and Human Behavior, 20, 207-217.

Serin, R.C. & Amos, N.L. (1995). The role of psychopathy in the assessment of dangerousness. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 18, 231-238.

Barbaree, H.E., Seto, M. C., Serin, R.C., Amos, N.L., & Preston, D.L. (1994). Comparison between sexual and nonsexual rapist subtypes: Sexual arousal to rape, offense precursors, and offense characteristics. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 21, 95-114.

Serin, R.C. & Kuriychuk, M. (1994). Social and cognitive processing deficits in violent offenders: Implications for treatment. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 17, 431-441.

Serin, R.C., Malcolm, P.B., Khanna, A., & Barbaree, H.E. (1994). Psychopathy and deviant sexual arousal in incarcerated sexual offenders. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 9, 3-11.

Serin, R.C. (1993). Diagnosis of Psychopathy With and Without an Interview. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49, 367-372.

Serin, R.C. (1992). Clinical application of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 48, 637-642.

Kroner, D., Reddon, J., & Serin, R.C. (1992). The Multidimensional Anger Inventory: Reliability and factor structure in an inmate sample. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 52, 687-693.

Serin, R.C. (1991). Psychopathy and violence in criminals. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 6, 423-431.

Serin, R.C., Peters, R.DeV., & Barbaree, H.E. (1990). Prediction of psychopathy and release outcome in a criminal population. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2, 419-423.

Holden, R.R., Mendonca, J.D., & Serin, R.C. (1989). Suicide, hopelessness and social desirability: A test of an interactive model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57(4), 500-504.

Serin, R.C. & Lawson, J.S. (l987). Prediction of temporary absence outcome for penitentiary inmates. Canadian Journal of Criminology, 29(1), 35-49.

SUBMITTED MANUSCRIPTS:

Hanby, L. J., Serin, R. C., & Vuong, B. (2009). Offender competencies and their relationship to correctional treatment outcome. Criminal Justice and Behavior.

PUBLISHED TECHNICAL REPORTS:

Serin, R.C., Lloyd, C.D., Helmus, L., Derkzen, D., & Luong, D. (2010). Assessment and Conceptual Issues in Understanding Offender Change. National Institute of Corrections.

Serin, R.C., Gobeil. R., & Sutton, J. (2008). Structured parole decision making framework user manual. National Parole Board of Canada.

Serin, R.C. (2006). Evidence-based practice: Principles for enhancing correctional results in prisons, National Institute of Corrections, Washington, DC.

Serin, R. C. (2006). Functional Competency Model for offenders: Programming for crime desistance. Correctional Service of Canada.

Mailloux, D.L. & Serin, R.C. (2002). An analysis of sexual assaults during hostage-takings and forcible confinements (Research Report R-114). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada. (Independent study completed under my supervision).

Wichmann, C., Serin, R.C., & Abracen, J. (2002). Self-harm by women offenders: A preliminary investigation. (Research Report, R-123). Ottawa, Ontario: Correctional Service of Canada. (Independent study completed under my supervision).

Wichmann, C., Serin, R.C., & Abracen, J. (2002). Self-harm by women offenders: A preliminary investigation. (Research Report, R-123). Ottawa, Ontario: Correctional Service of Canada.

Dowden, C. & Serin, R.C. (2001). Anger management programming for federal offenders: The impact of dropouts and other program performance variables on recidivism. (Research Report R-106). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada.

Serin, R.C. (2001). Intermediate measures of treatment success. Compendium 2000, pp. 198-201. Correctional Service of Canada, Ministry of Supply and Services.

Serin, R.C. & Mailloux, D.L. (2001). Development of a reliable self-report instrument for the assessment of criminogenic need (Research Report, R-96). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada.

Serin, R.C. & Preston, D.L. (2001). Programming for violent offenders. Compendium 2000, pp. 146-157. Correctional Service Canada, Ministry of Supply and Services.

Serin, R.C., Mailloux, D.L., & Hucker, S. (2000). The utility of clinical and actuarial risk assessments for offenders in pre-release psychiatric decision-making (Research Report, R-95). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada.

Wichmann, C., Serin, R.C., & Motiuk, L.L. (2000). Predicting suicide attempts among male offenders in federal penitentiaries. (Research Report, R-91). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada.

Dowden, C., Blanchette, K. & Serin, R.C. (1999). Anger management programming for federal male inmates: An effective intervention. (Research Report R-82). Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada.

Serin, R.C., Barbaree, H.E., Seto, M., Malcolm, P.B., & Peacock, E. (1997). A model for a clinically-informed risk assessment strategy for sex offenders. (Research Report R-56), Correctional Services of Canada.

Serin, R.C. & Kennedy, S. (1997). Treatment readiness and responsivity: Contributing to effective correctional programming. (Research Report. R-54). Ottawa: Correctional Services of Canada.

Serin, R.C. (1996). Psychological intervention in corrections. Forensic psychology: Policy and Practice in Corrections, (p. 36-40).

Serin, R.C. (1996). Assessment and prediction of violent behaviour in offender populations. Forensic psychology: Policy and Practice in Corrections, (p. 69-91).

Serin, R.C. (1995). Persistently violent (Nonsexual) offenders: A program proposal. (Research Report, R-42), Correctional Services of Canada

Serin, R.C. (1994). Treating violent offenders: A review of current practices. (Research Report, R-38), Correctional Services of Canada.

Serin, R.C. (1990). Development and validation of a psychological referral screening form. (Research Report R-9), Correctional Services of Canada.

ARTICLES IN NON-REFEREED JOURNALS:

Serin, R.C. (2003). Expanding the “What Works” agenda for effective corrections: The role of correctional staff. International Community Corrections Association Monograph, 8(2). Wisconsin: Civic Research Institute.

Serin, R.C., Motiuk, L.L., & Wichmann, C. (2002). An examination of suicide attempts among inmates. Forum on Corrections Research, 14(2), 40-43.

Serin, R.C. & Wichmann, C. (2002). Alternative medicines in corrections: A survey. Forum on Corrections Research, 14(2), 46-48.

Serin, R.C. (2001). Improving program performance. Forum on Corrections Research, 13, 24-26.

Serin, R.C. & Cousineau, C. (2001). Programs for substance abusing offenders: A national survey. Forum on Corrections Research, 13, 58-60.

Serin, R.C. & Preston, D.L., & Murphy, S. (2001). Programming for persistently violent offenders. International Community Corrections Association Journal, 19-23.

Boland, F., Duwyn, M., & Serin, R.C. (2000). Fetal alcohol syndrome: Understanding its impact. Forum on Corrections Research, 12 (1), 16-18.

Dowden, C. & Serin, R.C. (2000). Assessing the needs of Aboriginal women offenders on conditional release. Forum on Corrections Research, 12 (1), 57-59.

Motiuk, L.L. & Serin, R.C. (2000). A compendium on “What Works” in offender programming. Forum on Corrections Research, 12 (2), 3-4.

Serin, R.C. & Preston, D.L. (2000). Programming for violent offenders. Forum on Corrections Research, 12 (2), 45-48.

Motiuk, L.L. & Serin, R.C. (1998). Situating risk assessment into a reintegration framework. Forum on Corrections Research, 10, 19-22.

Serin, R.C. (1998). Treatment responsivity, intervention, and reintegration: A conceptual model. Forum on Corrections Research, 10, 29-32. 8

Serin, R.C. (1997). Psychological Intake Assessment: Contributing to contemporary offender classification. Forum on Corrections Research, 9, 51-54

Serin, R.C. & Brown, S.L. (1997). Treatment programs for offenders with violent histories: A national survey. Forum on Corrections Research, 9, 35-38.

Serin, R.C. & Brown, S.L. (1996). Strategies for enhancing intervention with violent offenders. Forum on Corrections Research, 8, 45-48.

Serin, R.C. (1995). Treatment responsivity in criminal psychopaths. Forum on Corrections Research, 7, 23-26.

Serin, R.C. & Barbaree, H.E. (1993). Decision issues in risk assessment. Forum on Corrections Research, 5, 22-25.

Serin, R.C. (1989) Can psychopaths be identified? Forum on Corrections Research, 1(2), 23-25.

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