NCJ Number
131552
Date Published
1989
Length
64 pages
Annotation
A combined scale measuring recidivism risk and service needs of offenders who were released to community supervision was used at 12 pilot sites in Canada starting in October 1988 and was assessed using case records from the first 453 male offenders.
Abstract
The offenders were on day parole (25.2 percent), full parole (55 percent), or mandatory supervision (19.8 percent). Their supervising case managers assessed them using the Community Risk/Needs Management Scale. Their behavior was then monitored during the next six months. Results confirmed the predictive value of 10 of the 12 need factors: academic and vocational skills, employment pattern, financial management, marital and family relationships, companions and significant others, housing, behavioral and emotional stability, alcohol use, drug use, and attitude. Mental ability and health did not significantly relate to outcome. The highest rates of revocation were those who were both high risk and high need; these rates were low for the offenders assessed as both low risk and low need. Results indicated that reducing the frequency of supervision for these cases could permit community resources to be reallocated. Finally, the weighted ratings, which were the most sophisticated of the four scoring methods used, were the most effective. Tables