Addressing the Equity and Fairness of Assessments: How the National Guidelines Can Transform Agencies’ Communication and Use of Post-Conviction Risk and Needs Assessments

Until now, criminal justice agencies have lacked guidance in communicating the strengths and limitations of risk and needs assessments. A set of 13 national guidelines was developed that advise agencies on prioritizing accuracy, fairness, transparency, and effective communication and use of post-conviction risk and needs assessments. The national guidelines, a significant step towards a more equitable and effective criminal justice system, permit agencies to follow a coherent set of guidelines on developing and using risk and needs assessments. They also encourage testing of their instruments for accuracy and fairness across race, ethnicity, and gender.

The guidelines promote ongoing evaluation, validation, and refinement of assessment instruments by aligning with evidence-based practices. Correct implementation of post-conviction risk and needs assessments can give criminal justice agencies the information they need to appropriately target supervision resources and reentry services, thereby increasing the likelihood of success post-incarceration. Following the national guidelines can help agencies ensure accuracy and fairness for all individuals in the criminal justice system.

This session discussed the challenges agencies have encountered, what solutions agencies have created, and where the field needs to improve regarding risk and needs assessment. Presenters described the benefits of adhering to the national guidelines and discussed the findings of information received through the supplementary self-assessment tool. Participants learned about areas of priority for states currently receiving technical assistance. These guidelines were developed by The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Thank you to our faculty:

Award# 15PBJA-22-GK-01739-MUMU, is sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and administered by the Center for Effective Public Policy (CEPP), in partnership with the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), the Association of Paroling Authorities, International (APAI), the Center for Justice Innovation (CJI), and the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA).