Why is assessment important to Risk Reduction Services?

  • Assessment provides objective and empirically validated evaluations of an offender's risk and needs.
  • Assessment assists in decision-making processes regarding placement, supervision, and case planning.
  • Addressing the offender’s risk/needs and matching the offender to the identified level of services are linked to changing offender behavior, appropriate use of resources and public protection.
  • High risk/need offenders respond better to intensive and comprehensive services, while low risk offenders respond better to minimal or no intervention.

What are the current initiatives to provide risk/needs assessments?

The COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions) assessment instrument has been implemented to assist in program needs identification.

What is COMPAS?
  • A computerized database and analysis system for criminal justice practitioners who make decisions regarding the placement, supervision and case-management of offenders.
  • Assesses four different but critical risks for use in offender management.
    • Violence
    • Recidivism
    • Flight/Failure to Appear
    • Community Non-Compliance (Technical Violations)
  • Includes comprehensive coverage of criminogenic risk/needs factors.
  • Provides validity tests to detect inconsistencies in offender responses.

For More Information Contact:

Robert Kiedinger, Data, Evaluation, Assessment & Research Manager
Operations, Planning & Training Division
478-992-5925 (Phone)
email: kiedir00@dcor.state.ga.us

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1529
Forsyth, GA 31029

 
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