NCJ Number
191636
Date Published
2000
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses the importance of risk assessment in determining future violent behavior and recidivism among adolescents adjudicated in the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The issue of risk assessment is typically a consideration following a delinquency adjudication to determine recidivism and future violent behavior of adolescents. In addition, risk assessment aids in the determination of program placement, rehabilitation planning, and civil commitment. This paper reviewed three necessary questions in defining the task of risk assessment: (1) what is the outcome being assessed; (2) what is the duration of the outcome period; and (3) what is the purpose of the risk assessment? The prediction and management models of risk assessment are presented and briefly discussed. The utilization of four risk assessment tools are presented and included: (1) classification tools used by juvenile courts; (2) the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument, second version (MAYSI-2); (3) Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory; and (4) the Psychopathy Checklist - Youth Version (PCL-YV). When no risk assessment tool is available in determining recidivism, the following suggestions are given: know the base rates of juvenile offending; know the risk and protective factors; effective use of the interview; the use of third party information; and providing a framework for assessing risk of harm to others. References