It all starts with a thoughtful selection: The development of practice-based guidelines for selecting risk assessment tools in probation practice.

• In Event: Factors that Shape Criminal Policy Decision Making

Abstract

Keywords: Risk assessment; Implementation process; decision-making

In recent decades, risk assessment has become an important part of crime control. It is estimated that more than 120 different risk assessment tools are used worldwide in various settings (Singh et al., 2010) such as probation, the prison system and forensic mental health services. Research on risk assessment has also increased dramatically. Yet this research focuses primarily on the predictive validity of risk assessment tools and considerably less on the implementation of these tools in practice.

Hence, several questions remain unanswered regarding the implementation process. One important but complex problem is the selection of risk assessment tools. No single validated tool exists that is significantly and consistently predictive of all forms of recidivism across all contexts, and each instrument has its own aim and requires its own degree of structuring. Evidence- or practice-based guidelines that can facilitate such choices, are however lacking.

The current presentation aims to promote knowledge sharing on key issues related to the implementation of risk assessment tools. More specifically, we developed guidelines for the selection of risk assessment tools in a research project that focusses on the implementation of an evidence-based risk assessment and risk management policy within the probation services in Flanders (Belgium). Several criteria regarding the psychometric qualities and usability of the tools were developed based on the literature and then tested in practice. During the presentation, these criteria will be described and the decision tree presented. The various theorical and practical issues raised throughout the selection and implementation process will be discussed.

Authors

• Hanne Willemen, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

• Anna Marie Vansteenkiste, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

• Lars Breuls, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Kristof Verfaillie, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Kasia Uzieblo, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, The Forensic Care Specialists