SUSAN SMITH RISK ASSESSMENT

 

Susan Smith, Murderer - Risk Assessment:

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Susan Smith was convicted of murdering her two young sons, 

Michael and Alexander, in 1994 by drowning them in a South 

Carolina lake. Here's a risk assessment based on information 

available from various sources:

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Criminal History:

Conviction:

 Smith was convicted of two counts of murder for the deaths of her

 sons. She initially claimed a Black man had carjacked her vehicle 

with her sons inside, but later confessed to the crime.

Sentence: 

She received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 30

 years, which she became eligible for in November 2024.

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Behavior in Prison:

Disciplinary Issues: 

Over the years, Smith has accumulated several disciplinary 

infractions while incarcerated. These include drug use, 

unauthorized use of another inmate's PIN, and communication

 with documentary filmmakers or media, which could be seen as 

attempts to manage her public image or influence her case.

Sexual Misconduct:

 She was involved in sexual relationships with prison guards, 

leading to their dismissal and her transfer within the prison 

system.

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Risk Factors:

Mental Health:

 At her trial, her defense argued she suffered from depression and

 dependent personality disorder, exacerbated by childhood trauma

 (father's suicide, stepfather's abuse). This history suggests 

potential mental health issues that could impact her risk profile.

Motivation:

 Her crime was linked to an affair with a man who did not want 

children, suggesting her actions were motivated by a desire to 

remove obstacles in her personal life. This could indicate poor 

impulse control or a pattern of making drastic decisions in 

response to personal crises.

Lack of Remorse:

 There have been public statements from her ex-husband and 

others indicating a perceived lack of genuine remorse from Smith,

 which could suggest a continued risk for manipulative or self-

serving behavior.

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Protective Factors:

Counseling and Programs:

 Reports indicate she has participated in counseling, grief 

management, anger management, and domestic violence recovery 

programs while in prison. She has also been involved in 

educational support for other inmates.

Support System:

 If released, she reportedly planned to live with her brother, who 

might provide some level of support and supervision.

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Parole and Risk Assessment:

Parole Hearing: 

In November 2024, Susan Smith was unanimously denied parole. 

The parole board considered her crime's severity, her behavior in 

prison, and the impact on the community and victims' families. 

Actuarial Risk Assessment: 

The parole board would have looked at actuarial tools to assess 

her risk of re-offending, considering factors like criminal 

involvement, relationships, personality, and mental health.

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Conclusion:

High Risk Perception:

 Given the nature of her crime, lack of full accountability or 

remorse perceived by some, and her prison record, she is generally

 viewed as a high risk for reoffending, particularly in contexts 

involving personal relationships or under stress.

Future Assessments:

 She will be eligible for parole every two years, where these 

assessments will be re-evaluated based on her behavior, 

participation in rehabilitative programs, and any signs of genuine 

remorse or change in character.

This assessment is based on available public information and 

should be seen as a snapshot rather than a definitive psychological

 or legal evaluation. For a more precise risk assessment, 

professional evaluations by forensic psychologists or psychiatrists 

would be necessary.