In the field of corrections, accurately assessing an individual's risk of offending is essential for effective prevention and tailoring rehabilitation strategies. Traditional risk assessments have primarily focused on static factors—unchangeable elements such as criminal history or demographic information. However, emerging research highlights the significance of acute dynamic factors—rapidly changing, transient conditions like emotional states, situational stressors, or immediate environmental influences—that can fluctuate within hours or days and critically impact an individual's likelihood of offending.
This presentation will delve into the latest findings on acute dynamic risk factors, emphasizing their importance in predicting imminent antisocial behavior. We will explore how incorporating these factors into risk assessments can enhance the precision of predictions and inform timely interventions. For instance, studies have shown that daily evaluations of acute dynamic risks can significantly improve the accuracy of recidivism predictions, enabling corrections professionals to implement immediate, targeted strategies to mitigate these risks.
Furthermore, we will discuss practical approaches for corrections professionals to integrate the assessment of acute dynamic factors into existing protocols. This includes training on identifying and monitoring these transient risk elements and developing responsive intervention plans that address the immediate needs of individuals under supervision. The discussion will address the assessment of risk for individuals within the prison environment and those in the community.
By understanding and applying knowledge of acute dynamic factors, corrections professionals can proactively manage and reduce the risk of offending, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and contributing to safer prisons and communities.
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Professor Melissa Hamilton JD, PhD
Professor of Law & Criminal Justice, University of Surrey, England
Melissa Hamilton is a Professor of Law & Criminal Justice at the University of Surrey and a Surrey AI Fellow. Research interests include issues related to forensic risk assessment practices, AI tools in criminal justice, violence perpetration and victimization, trauma responses, sentencing methodologies, and correctional policies and practices. Prior to taking up her academic posts, she worked as a police officer and corrections officer in Florida, and clerked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She has a Juris Doctorate in Law and a PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Hamilton holds memberships in the American Psychological Association, Royal Statistical Society, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, International Corrections and Prisons Association, and the State Bar of Texas. Technical skills include data sciences in criminal justice and forensic risk assessment. Dr. Hamilton has served as an expert witness in the U.S. and UK in civil and criminal cases and in class action lawsuits on various criminal justice issues.
