Development of a Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Tool for Supervised Releases in Ohio

• In Event: Risk Assessments and Decision Making in Community Corrections

Abstract

Fourth generation risk assessment tools across state, county, and local criminal justice agencies in Ohio have been in place for well over a decade. As more organizations embrace the use of general risk (and needs) assessment for operational decision-making, a demand for more nuanced trailer tools that focus on narrower justice-involved populations has emerged. Researchers and administrators from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction have recently developed and adopted a trailer tool that identifies individuals that are at a high risk to violently reoffend on community supervision. Based on a recent prison release cohort in Ohio, this study describes the development of another trailer tool that focuses on individuals that are at a high risk to reoffend on community supervision related to domestic violence activity. We conclude by discussing the implications these preliminary findings have for operational efficiencies, community supervision caseloads, and case planning purposes.

Authors

• Brian R. Kowalski, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

• Brian D. Martin, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction