By: Erin King, Customer Success Manager, and Genie Jackson, Research Team Lead, equivant Supervision + Pretrial
Over the past decade, criminal justice reform has emerged as a critical issue, prompting policymakers, practitioners, and communities to explore innovative approaches to address systemic challenges and promote fairness, equity, and rehabilitation within the legal system. At the heart of this endeavor lies the use of validated assessments designed to inform decision-making, guide interventions, and drive meaningful change. Validated assessments are reshaping the landscape of criminal justice programs and services, empowering stakeholders to foster positive outcomes and enhance public safety.
Supervision agencies rely on risk/ needs assessments to inform decision-making about program eligibility and intensity.
The theoretical foundation of this practice lies in Andrews and Bonta’s Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model which prescribes identifying the person’s criminogenic needs for appropriate treatment programming, while matching program intensity with recidivism risk. Validated assessments form the underlying basis of evidence-based justice systems; results provide support for the funding and implementation of programs and services that have been found to be effective in reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
Assessments are validated to ensure they effectively and reliably identify correct levels of risk and need.
The “risk” components of an assessment are validated differently than the “need” components because of their different functions within the recidivism reduction framework. Risk scales provide the likelihood of recidivism based on normative samples. Results are often used to inform supervision level decisions in addition to program intensity. Need scales, on the other hand, describe a person’s need levels and identify areas of greatest criminogenic need but they do not imply likelihood of recidivism. Need scale results are often correlated with recidivism, but they should not be mistaken for risk.
The insight provided by risk/needs assessments, provides objective insights into individuals’ circumstances and backgrounds and fosters the emergence of a holistic view of the person that allows practitioners to tailor intervention strategies customized for the individual.
From interventions to target underlying issues such as thoughts, values, beliefs, and behaviors that support unlawful lifestyles, unhealthy relationships with friends and family members, substance abuse, and a lack of education or employment skills to cognitive-behavioral therapy and educational and vocational training programs, validated assessments inform and support the development of meaningful and effective case planning and case management.
As the landscape of criminal justice continues to evolve, the use of validated assessments stands as a solid practice that supports meaningful reform and positive change. By harnessing the power of data-driven insights, stakeholders can drive programs and services that are tailored to individuals’ needs, reduce recidivism, and promote successful reintegration into society. As we strive toward a more just and equitable legal system, validated assessments serve as invaluable tools for building safer communities, fostering rehabilitation, and upholding the principles of fairness and equality under the law. If you are interested in learning more about research and validation studies, risk/needs assessments, or case planning, please contact us.
