Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #10 - Understanding, Assessing, Managing and Reducing RISK (ACJ10-A005)
Abstract
Correctional psychologists often adhere to comprehensive instructions of manuals and structured protocols of risk and needs assessment instruments in order to ensure that their assessment findings are accurately reported. Apart from the use of manuals and protocols, we propose that it is also important for correctional psychologists to consider the context of each assessment to produce more relevant, nuanced, and useful risk assessment findings for various decisions resulting from the assessments. In this article, we illustrate and discuss the importance of context using four mini-case studies of risk and needs assessments. Through this article, we hope to encourage fellow correctional practitioners to consider, beyond the usual offender-centric risk and protective factors, the unique contextual factors relevant to the cases they assess.
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