Angel works in a probation department. Her boss tells her to complete both types of risk and needs assessments on an offender named Trey. Explain the difference between the two types of assessments and describe the information about Trey that Angel will have to put in each one.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Varies, but should differentiate between triage and more detailed risk and needs assessments. The first type measures static factors such as age, criminal background, and current offense type. These are usually done fairly quickly and are used as "triage," to conduct the first "sorting" of defendants into broad risk categories. The second type assesses more dynamic factors. These assessments usually involve a much longer set of questions and measure factors that have to do with the defendant's tendency to commit crime. These are referred to as criminogenic needs and focus on changeable factors such as antisocial behavior, personality traits, and associates; family and marital status; substance abuse status; and whether the defendant is employed or in school. Risk factors are largely static in nature and are based on the type and severity of the offense leading to the current incarceration, prior offenses and system involvement, and behavioral and mental health history. Criminogenic needs are also correlated with a likelihood of reoffending, but are generally of a dynamic or changeable nature. They may include antisocial behavior; antisocial personality traits, attitudes, or peers; family and marital dysfunction; substance abuse; low achievement or stability in school and employment; and lack of prosocial leisure activities. Noncriminogenic needs are related to criminogenic needs but have not been found to directly correlate with reoffending. They include anxiety, other forms of emotional distress, low self-esteem or ambition, and major mental health problems.