Risk/Needs Assessment

10Jul

Implementing LS/CMI Across Global Contexts: Localization Without Compromise

Key takeaways  LS/CMI is grounded in the Risk–Need–Responsivity (RNR) framework, linking assessment to intervention through structured identification of criminogenic risk, need, and responsivity considerations.  Global use depends on disciplined localization, not informal adaptation, to maintain its core structure while aligning with local systems.  Localization takes multiple forms, including system integration, language and...

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04May

Connecting Assessment and Digital Tools to Reduce Recidivism

At a glance:   Assessment is the foundation: Evidence‑based tools like the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory™ (LS/CMI™) identify criminogenic risks and needs, enabling targeted, effective rehabilitation planning.  Insight must translate into action: Digital tools such as Core Pathway can help turn assessment results into structured, day‑to‑day goals, tasks, and support.  Integration can help improve outcomes: Connecting assessment with digital...

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14Apr

Building Strengths in Risk/Needs Assessment and Management

Correctional services are increasingly incorporating strength-based practices in risk/needs assessment and case management of justice-involved individuals; however, it is not always clear how to conceptualize strength, or how to use a justice-involved individual’s strengths to build rapport. The question then is, “How can we build on strengths in treatment planning?” In...

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15Sep

Navigating Youth Diversion: Strategies, Pitfalls, and Impact

Diversion helps youth who have offended as it offers tailored interventions for their needs, counters adverse effects of formal processing, and promotes rehabilitation over punishment. In this blog we explore diverse diversion strategies, how these strategies balance rehabilitation and accountability, and the importance of fair decision-making for positive individual and...

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A headshot of Pedro das Neves next to the MHS logo.
28Jun

Pedro das Neves: The Power of Technology in the Prison System

Pedro das Neves is the CEO of IPS Innovative Prison Systems, a research and consulting firm specializing in justice and correctional services. He is the Executive Director of ICJS Innovative Criminal Justice Inc., a Canadian firm that focuses on advisory, design, integration, and delivery of innovative organizational...

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24Apr

Do the Level of Service Tools Provide Long-Term Insights?

Predictive validity refers to an assessment's ability to accurately predict an outcome. In the context of risk/needs assessments, accuracy is determined through a validation process. Validation tests if an assessment’s estimated risk/needs score for an individual corresponds to actual behavior or outcomes. In order to test the prediction, meaningful outcome...

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29Nov

Using Professional Judgment and Overrides in Risk/Needs Assessments

Due to its role in informing parole and probation decisions, the use of professional judgment or overrides in risk/needs assessment and management can become scrutinized after tragic and violent events. What is a risk/needs assessment? Why do assessors override risk assessment scores? Is the use of this override common? What does...

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12Oct

Keep Communities Safe with Offender Management Systems

Many public safety organizations around the world use Offender Management Systems (OMSs) to access public and private data, including arrest events, custody data, dispositions, and prosecutor data. Keeping communities safe and providing positive outcomes requires probation and parole officers to access the histories of those within the system. An OMS is...

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A person works on their laptop, holding a pen and their phone.
13Apr

Modernizing Technology in Public Safety Agencies

The call for evidence-informed trainings to leverage technology to align with evidence informed practices and integrated software solutions have increased among the correctional field, specifically around community supervision and risk assessment. The advancement of evidence-based practices has been most influenced by the adoption of the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model. Developed in...

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22Mar

What is the impact of trauma in the criminal justice population?

There has been an explosion of research connecting the experience of trauma, particularly complex or multiple traumas with a risk for criminal behavior (Vitopoulos et al., 2019). The current research on trauma and criminal behavior point to early childhood trauma, particularly maltreatment in childhood, as defining the difference between adolescents...

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