Assessing Violence Risk in the Caribbean: The Validity of the Jamaican Risk Assessment Screening Document for Youth and Adults

• In Event: Individual-focused Approaches to Crime Prevention

Abstract

High rates of crime and violence, particularly in urban areas, pose a serious problem in Jamaica. Effective targeting of individuals both engaged in and at risk of future violence is a critical component of violence reduction and prevention initiatives. Working in collaboration with staff from Jamaica’s Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) the Jamaican Risk Assessment for Adult Violence and Jamaican Risk Assessment for Youth Violence (JRA:AV and JRA:YV) was developed to help staff better target Jamaicans at high risk of committing future acts of violence. This study evaluates the construct and predictive validity of the 13-factor initial screening document, used to identify individuals at medium and high risk of violence, who may benefit from further assessment, case planning, and violence reduction programming. Utilizing screening documents (n=1,620) completed by case managers and community liaison officers in 2016, the influence of each screening factor on violent and general offending is considered for both adults and juveniles, in order to ensure that the screening tool is appropriate and valid for use with the Jamaican population.

Authors

• Lanmeng Ma, University of New Haven

• Kevin Barnes-Ceeney, University of New Haven