Risk Assessment

The Role of Stigma Toward Mental Illness in Probation Officers’ Perceptions of Risk and Case Management Decisions (2018)

stephqian — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 22:01:42 +0000

The Role of Stigma Toward Mental Illness in Probation Officers’ Perceptions of Risk and Case Management Decisions (2018) stephqian Thu, 02/13/2020 - 14:01 More Article Jennifer Eno Louden, Sarah M. Manchak, Elijah P. Ricks, Patrick J. Kennealy January 01, 2018

International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology -

This study analyzes how probation officers’ perceptions of mental illness affect how they evaluate risk assessments for offenders. 89 probation officers were given a vignette-based design where they were given two separate hypothetical offenders who were of the same risk classification, except one had a mental illness. The study provides that stigma towards mental illness had little effect on risk assessment decisions. However, the offender with a mental illness received more punitive measures compared to their counterpart.

Jennifer Eno Louden is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of El Paso, Texas. Sarah M. Manchek is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. Elijah P. Ricks is a Professor of Forensic Psychology at Roosevelt University. Patrick J. Kennealy researches criminal justice at the Travis County Community Justice Services.

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^{Keywords: Mental illness, risk assessment, vignette, probation, probation officer, stigma, mental illness stigma}

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Mental Illness

Risk Assessment

Modifying a Risk Assessment Instrument for Youthful Offenders (2016)

stephqian — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 21:57:31 +0000

Modifying a Risk Assessment Instrument for Youthful Offenders (2016) stephqian Thu, 02/13/2020 - 13:57 More Article Cheri J. Shapiro, Patrick S. Malone, Stephen M. Gavazzi January 01, 2018

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology -

This study modifies a risk assessment intended for juvenile youth (Global Risk Assessment Device, or GRAD) and tests the assessment for youthful offenders, aged 18-25. By testing this risk assessment for 895 youthful male offenders, this study suggests the modified GRAD assessment could be given to youthful offenders in an adult correctional setting because it is invariable across race and age. The authors acknowledge that this is only the first step of research, and that the GRAD assessment will need to be examined longer term, and with female youth offenders.

Cheri Shapiro is the Director for the Institute for Families in Society at the University of South Carolina. Patrick Malone is a Senior Research Scientist in the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University and adjunct research staff at RAND Corporation. Stephen Gavazzi is a Professor for the Department of Human Services at Ohio State University.

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^{Keywords: Risk assessment, GRAD, youthful offenders, juvenile, 18 - 25, adult corrections, measurement}

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Risk Assessment

Impact of Risk Assessment on Judges’ Fairness in Sentencing Relatively Poor Defendants (2019)

stephqian — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 21:54:29 +0000

Impact of Risk Assessment on Judges’ Fairness in Sentencing Relatively Poor Defendants (2019) stephqian Thu, 02/13/2020 - 13:54 More Article Jennifer Skeem, Nicholas Scurich, John Monahan January 01, 2019

University of Virginia School of Law -

This study examines how risk assessments may alter a judge’s sentencing for poor defendants compared to rich defendants. It also examines how access to risk assessments may heighten sentencing disparities between poor defendants with risk assessments provided, and poor defendants without risk assessments. Designed as a 2 x 2 factorial experiment, the study asks 340 American judges to assign a sentence based on provided fictional vignettes. The study finds that if provided with a risk assessment, relatively affluent defendants had a lower chance of incarceration. Conversely, if provided with a risk assessment, relatively poor defendants had a higher chance of incarceration. Additionally, relatively poor defendants without a risk assessment were given a lower chance of incarceration. Ultimately, the study finds that biases exist within risk assessment, which can increase sentencing disparities.

Jennifer Skeem teaches the intersection between behavior science and criminal justice at UC Berkeley. Nicholas Scurich specializes in judgement, decision making, and violence risk assessment at UC Irvine. John Monahan teaches how courts use behavior science at the University of Virginia School of Law.

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^{Keywords: Risk assessment, national, poor, rich, defendants, judges, sentencing, sentencing disparities, bias}

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Risk Assessment

Selecting a risk assessment tool to use in practice: a 10-point guide (2016)

stephqian — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 21:51:00 +0000

Selecting a risk assessment tool to use in practice: a 10-point guide (2016) stephqian Thu, 02/13/2020 - 13:51 More Article Seena Fazel, Achim Wolf May 01, 2018

Evid Based Health -

This report recommends a series of ten questions criminal justice professionals should ask themselves when deciding which risk assessment tools that should use in their practice. These questions were decided based on reviewing over 200 tools, and creating a methodology guide. They outline the questions based on two validations: external and development. It should be noted that this study took place in England and Wales, and has not been tested outside of the two countries. Seena Fazel is a Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, and looks at the relationship between mental health and crime. Achim Wolf is an Honorary Researcher at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford.

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^{Keywords: Risk assessment, England, Wales, Oxford, international, external validation, internal validation, methodology, practitioners, public policy}

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Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment and Juvenile Justice (2018)

stephqian — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 20:51:22 +0000

Risk Assessment and Juvenile Justice (2018) stephqian Thu, 02/13/2020 - 12:51 More Article Christina Campbell, Jordan Papp, Ashlee Barnes, Eyitayo Onifade, Valerie Anderson January 01, 2018

American Society of Criminology -

This study examines how risk assessment, race, and gender interact to impact recidivism, namely between black and white juvenile youth. Their findings were used by looking at the risk assessments of black and white juvenile offenders in a Midwest county. Through their examinations, they find that the interaction between risk and recidivism is significantly pronounced for black youth compared to white youth. There are two major limitations to the study: 1) they only compare black and white populations, excluding Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations; 2) the cases came from one Midwest county, leaving it questionable if the results are applicable across different jurisdictions. The American Society of Criminology is an international organization that seeks to find scholarly, professional, and scientific methods to improve crime and delinquency.

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^{Keywords: 2018, American Society of Criminology, risk assessment, recidivism, youth offenders, Midwest, race, gender, age, study, Youth Level of Service, Case Management Inventory, racial disparities}

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Risk Assessment

Recidivism

Can We Downsize Our Prisons and Jails Without Compromising Public Safety? (2018)

stephqian — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 20:37:35 +0000

Can We Downsize Our Prisons and Jails Without Compromising Public Safety? (2018) stephqian Thu, 02/13/2020 - 12:37 More Article Bradley J. Bartos, Charis E. Kubrin January 01, 2018

UC Irvine -

This research article’s purpose is to see the impact of Prop 47 has on crime rates in California. Bartos and Kubrin answer this question by creating a “synthetic control group design” -- a Synthetic California. Synthetic California examines crime rates in 2015 (the year after Prop 47 was enacted) if Prop 47 was never implemented. The findings indicate that there is no effect of Prop 47 on homicide, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, or burglary; but there is an increase in larceny and motor vehicle crimes. Because the sample is so small, the results are inconclusive. Bradley Bartos is a PhD candidate at UC Irvine and uses projection models for criminal justice models. Charis Kubrin is a Professor of Criminology, Law and Society and Sociology at UC Irvine, focusing on trends in crime. Bartos and Kubrin acknowledge that this is the first systematic analysis of the effects of Prop 47, and that it is premature to conclude the long term effects of Prop 47.

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^{Keywords: Criminal justice reform, crime, prison downsizing, decarceration, California, Prop 47, UC Irvine, crime rates, 2018, 2015, 2014, Prop 47 impacts, synthetic control group design, statewide}

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Risk Assessment

Predictive Policing The Role of Crime Forecasting in Law Enforcement Operations (2013)

stephqian — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 20:34:39 +0000

Predictive Policing The Role of Crime Forecasting in Law Enforcement Operations (2013) stephqian Thu, 02/13/2020 - 12:34 More Article Walter L. Perry, Brian McInnis, Carter C. Price, Susan C. Smith, John S. Hollywood January 01, 2013

RAND -

Serving as a reference guide for police departments, this report describes how predictive policing can be beneficial for departments. RAND uses academic literature and case studies to generate this report. Predictive policing uses (mostly) quantitative data to predict and prevent crimes. Predictive policing can identify patterns and factors in human behavior so that police departments can develop strategies to prevent crime. This report provides examples of police departments that use predictive policing to show its effectiveness, and provides recommendations and insights for the future of predictive policing. RAND is a non-profit that aims to provide research and analysis so that policymakers can be better informed.

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^{Keywords: Predictive policing, police, quantitative, qualitative, 2013, RAND, technology, human behavior, patterns, forecasting, information technology, situational awareness, evidence, prediction, Washington DC, case study}

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Evidence-Based Practices

Community Corrections

Risk Assessment

Evaluation of Seven Second Chance Act Adult Demonstration Programs: Impact Findings at 30 Months (2018)

stephqian — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 00:17:38 +0000

Evaluation of Seven Second Chance Act Adult Demonstration Programs: Impact Findings at 30 Months (2018) stephqian Mon, 01/07/2019 - 16:17 More Article Ronald D'Amico, Hui Kim May 01, 2018

Office of Justice Programs -

Report on the impact of Second Chance Act (SCA) programs and an evaluation of whether such programs reduce recidivism and increase employment. Study randomly assigned 966 adult offenders in 4 counties and 3 different states to re-entry program treatment or control groups with recidivism and employment measured at 18 and 30 months. Study found no reduction in recidivism rate for either group, but an increase in employment and earnings for those assigned to the treatment. Report suggests results could be improved with additional funding to counties.

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist crime victims.

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^{Keywords: Second Chance Act Adult Demonstration Program, case management, random assignment, employment, substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavior therapy, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Criminal Justice, Health and Human Services, re-entry}

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Community Corrections

Split Sentencing

Risk Assessment

Looking Past The Hype: 10 Questions Everyone Should Ask About California’s Prison Realignment (2013)

stephqian — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 00:15:48 +0000

Looking Past The Hype: 10 Questions Everyone Should Ask About California’s Prison Realignment (2013) stephqian Mon, 01/07/2019 - 16:15 More Article Petersilia, Joan and Snyder, Jessica Greenlick April 16, 2013

UC Berkeley California Journal of Politics and Policy -

A report of realignment impact on prison population and care, victim rights and safety, treatment programs and recidivism, sentencing, jail system, criminal justice officials, probation, parole, community, costs, and overall effectiveness of Realignment. Report uses data from research conducted by Stanford, CCP, prison population data in California, prison health care costs and housing numbers, risk assessment tools, crime rates, CDCR. Study suggests further study and observation of AB 109 mechanics.

Joan Petersilia is the Faculty Co-Director at the Stanford Criminal Justice Center and Jessica Greenlick Snyder is an attorney in Portland.

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^{Keywords: prison realignment; California corrections; criminal justice; prisons; probation and parole; Jails; victim’s rights; penology. Joan Petersilia, Jessica Greenlick Snyder, UC Berkeley}

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Recidivism

Realignment / AB 109

Risk Assessment

Assessing Risk-Based Policies for Pretrial Release and Split Sentencing in Los Angeles County Jails (2015)

stephqian — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 00:14:06 +0000

Assessing Risk-Based Policies for Pretrial Release and Split Sentencing in Los Angeles County Jails (2015) stephqian Mon, 01/07/2019 - 16:14 More Article Mericcan Usta, Lawrence M. Wein December 29, 2015

PLOS One -

A scientific article intending to identify policies that optimize tradeoff between public safety and prison congestion taking place when prisons decide to implement split sentencing. Study uses a simulation model to track flow of inmates over time in Los Angeles County jail system using California Static Risk Assessment tool. Study results suggest split-sentencing for all low-level felons is key in managing tradeoff between public safety and jail congestion.

PLOS one is multidisciplinary open access journal featuring reports of original scientific research of subjects contributing to the base of scientific knowledge.

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^{Keywords: Los Angeles County, AB 109, POLS One, Usla and Wein,pretrial release or detention, case disposition, jail sentence, and possible recidivism, (Brown v. Plata, 2011), CSRA risk category}

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