Developing a Stand-Alone Needs Assessment for Corrections

• In Event: The Role of Risk/Needs Assessment in the Correctional System

Abstract

With the increased use of evidence based practices in the correctional system, the blurred line between supervision and treatment is focusing. To best utilize the specialties of different practitioners (i.e., supervision staff versus treatment staff), separate instruments should be used. We argue that needs assessments should not include static risk factors if their purpose is to inform treatment. We present detailed validation findings surrounding the development of a needs assessment for Washington State felony offenders, directly connecting needs variables with felony reconviction. Finally, we compare our tool with two additional needs assessment models to show how tailoring to a population and including only dynamic items can increase the accuracy and utility of the tool.

Authors

• Zachary K. Hamilton, Washington State University

• Michael F. Campagna, Washington State University

• Elizabeth A. Tollefsbol, Washington State University