Risk/Needs Assessment Archives

A person is seen in the dark, resting their head on their arm, with their hand wrapped around their arm.

22MarMarch 22, 2022

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...

By Ralph Fretz, Ph.D., ABPPPublic SafetyCriminal Justice, LS/CMI, Risk/Needs Assessment, YLS/CMI

Five Recommendations for Minimizing Bias in Risk Assessments

The use of pre-trial risk assessment tools around the world is widespread. In fact, risk/needs assessments are mandatory for sentencing in the adult system within 20 U.S. states. Since the use of these tools is so common, questioning the potential of their impact in creating racial disparity within the justice...

By Elaina Falcone AntonelloPublic SafetyCriminal Justice, Fairness, Risk/Needs Assessment