Evaluating the Effectiveness of CARAT in Predicting Outcomes for Philippine Probationers and Parolees

• In Event: Supervision Tools, Policies, Risk Assessment in Community Corrections

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Classification and Risk Assessment Tool (CARAT), developed for the Parole and Probation Agency in the Philippines. CARAT was implemented across eight pilot sites and assessed 2,712 probationers and parolees based on the Big 8 risk and needs factors. Participants were tracked for two years to monitor negative outcomes such as drug use, rearrest, or revocation. Analysis controlled for demographic and legal variables, revealing that initial risk levels significantly predicted these outcomes. The findings highlight CARAT’s potential as a valid tool for assessing offender risk in non-Western settings, offering valuable insights for improving rehabilitation and supervision strategies. Implications for developing culturally responsive risk assessment tools are also discussed.

Author

• Raymund E. Narag, Southern Illinois University Carbondale