Complexities of Implementing, Evaluating, and Advocating for Evidence-Based Risk Assessment in Correctional Settings

Session Submission Type: Roundtable Session

Abstract

This roundtable is intended to elicit an honest discussion of the practical and political challenges to implementing evidence-based risk assessment in correctional and supervision practices. There has been pressure for correctional agencies to adopt evidence-based practices to aid in the treatment and supervision planning of inmates and probationers. There is optimism that use of evidence-based practices in risk assessment will not only help practitioners make more informed decisions regarding the needs of their clients, but that clients also will be matched to programming and supervision that has been empirically supported as effective in helping reduce recidivism. However, there is also skepticism that these practices can be implemented with fidelity as well as a cynicism as to whether adoption of these practices may be serving political aims more than the clients and practitioners. Participants in this discussion will include academics who evaluate these risk assessment instruments as well as practitioners within the criminal justice system who are tasked with implementing these instruments with fidelity within a resource constrained system. Discussion will include identification of the successes and benefits of evidence-based risk assessment as well as the limitations and challenges observed by both scholars and practitioners within the field of criminal justice.

Sub Unit

• Area VIII: Roundtables

Participants

• Ashley Kilmer, University of Delaware

• Chrysanthi Leon, University of Delaware

• Tanya Whittle, University of Delaware

• Jill Viglione, George Mason University

• Megan Welsh, CUNY Graduate Center / John Jay College of Criminal Justice