An Examination of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision’s Use of Risk Assessment Overrides

• In Event: Evaluating Probation and Parole Practices and the Impact of Probation Reform in Georgia

Abstract

Professional discretion and the use of overrides are essential components of evidence-based risk assessments designed to help classify, supervise, and treat correctional clients. Though overrides are a part of the core foundation of correctional risk assessment, they have the potential to introduce variability into the efficacy of these tools by undermining the objectivity of their results. In turn, this may impact the criminal justice outcomes of those on supervision. Prior research also indicates that the use of overrides may be influenced by several factors, including the individual-level characteristics of the those on supervision and the supervising officer, calling into question the equity of these decisions. This presentation reports results of an examination of statewide data from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision for clients placed under supervision in 2021. Approximately 3.5% of the sample received an assessment override, 80% of which decreased the risk level. Results indicate that while overrides slightly added subjectivity to the risk assignment process at the individual-level, those that received a downward override recidivated at a lower rate.

Authors

• Nicholas Powell, Georgia Department of Community Supervision

• Bria Cross, Georgia Department of Community Supervision

• James McCafferty, Kennesaw State University