Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #10 - Understanding, Assessing, Managing and Reducing RISK (ACJ10-A002)

Article 2: Do Risk Assessments Play A Role In The Enduring Color Line (ACJ10-A002)

Abstract

This paper presents some of the arguments that have been put forward to suggest that current risk assessments are inherently biased and disproportionally disadvantage people of color in Western correctional systems. We suggest that this is a key area of concern for all correctional professionals and that new methods of risk assessment and approaches to training are needed. In our view, without this people of color will continue to be misclassified, over-assessed, placed in the wrong rehabilitation pathways, imprisoned and/or supervised longer than needed, and consequently remaining overrepresented in the correctional system.

In sum, the study results provide support for the indirect effects hypothesis regarding the nature of the association between mental health conditions and crime involvement. The study also provides insights regarding the empirical validity and utility of the risk assessment tools used in corrections. Thus, the study holds significant theory, policy, and research relevance. The discussion focuses on immediate policy implications, most relevant for both institutional and community corrections.

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Authors

Yilma Woldgabreal

Senior Clinician, Department for Correctional Services South Australia, Australia

Yilma Woldgabreal is a Senior Clinician at the Rehabilitation Programs Branch, Department for Correctional Services in South Australia. Yilma is affiliated with Deakin University, Australia, where he received his PhD in forensic psychology in 2016. Yilma has nearly two decades experience in corrections (both prisons and community corrections) and held various positions ranging from probation officer to management. His research interest includes risk assessment, evaluation, development of evidence-based rehabilitation programs, with particular emphasis of on the application of positive psychology. Yilma has published in peer reviewed journals.

Andrew Day

Enterprise Professor, University of Melbourne, Australia

Andrew Day is an Enterprise Professor in Criminology at the University of Melbourne in Australia. A registered clinical and forensic psychologist he has previously worked in prison and forensic mental health settings in both Australia and the UK. His research interest includes rehabilitation and reintegration, and the management of prison violence.

Armon Tamatea

Psychologist, Researcher, New Zealand

Armon Tamatea, PhD, PGDipPsych (Clin) is an Indigenous clinical psychologist who served as a clinician and senior research advisor for the Department of Corrections (New Zealand) before being appointed senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Waikato where he also acted as director of the post-graduate clinical psychology training programme. He has worked extensively in the assessment and treatment of violent and sexual offenders, and contributed to the design and implementation of an experimental prison-based violence prevention programme for high-risk offenders diagnosed with psychopathy. His research interests include psychopathy, New Zealand gang communities, and exploring culturally-informed approaches to offender management. Armon is currently involved in a long-term funded project that aims to reduce prison violence in New Zealand and currently divides his professional time between research, teaching supervision, and clinical practice in the criminal justice arena.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #10 - Understanding, Assessing, Managing and Reducing RISK (ACJ10-A002)

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