WHAT IS ASSESSMENT?
Assessment is the process by which information is obtained about offenders
that s needed to make classification decisions about their placement,
management and programming while confined, and about the timing and conditions
of their release to the community.
- National Institute of Corrections
RECENTLY ADDED:
Comprehensive List of Assessment Tools
HOW DOES ASSESSMENT HELP?
» Good assessment & classification practices greatly improve correctional management » Can make corrections more efficient by » Reducing costly periods of confinement for low risk offenders » By ensuring limited resources are allocated to those who need them most |
INTAKE SCREENING
» Intake screening to identify security risks and immediate health needs
history of abuse and neglect, substance use, education, employment, family, etc. |
NORMED AND VALIDATED INSTRUMENTS
» All risk assessment instruments (including screening tools) should be normed and validated. it is applied as it did for the population on which it was originally developed and tested |
INTER-RATER RELIABILITY
» Inter-rater reliability should be maintained through training, supervision and monitoring understanding offender logic or criminal thinking; ability to discern discrepancies in self-report data; interviewing skills » Quality control through supervision |