Does Risk of Recidivism Improve?: Examining Changes in The Risk Characteristics of Federally Supervised Offenders

• In Event: Risk Assessment in Correctional Populations

Abstract

Federal probation embraces the concept of using the risk, needs, and responsivity model of community supervision. In 2009, the federal probation system began developing, validating, and implementing the Post Conviction Risk Assessment (PCRA) tool. The PCRA is a fourth-generation risk assessment instrument that identifies offenders most likely to commit new crimes and the criminogenic characteristics that, if changed, could reduce the likelihood of recidivism. With the implementation of the PCRA, probation officers can measure whether the criminogenic factors of offenders are lessening over time. In order to assess how offenders fare during their supervision period, this study tracked a population of 21,152 offenders placed on federal supervision from May 2010 through October 2013. The study found that nearly half of offenders initially classified at the highest risk levels moved to a lower risk category by their second assessment and that these changes were mostly driven by improvements in offenders’ employment and substance abuse-related dynamic factors. Those offenders experiencing improvements in their risk levels were less likely to have their probation terms revoked compared to offenders with stable or increased risk classifications.

Authors

• Thomas H. Cohen, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts

• Scott W. VanBenschoten, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts