Broken Legs, Clinical Overrides, and Recidivism Risk: An Analysis of Decisions to Adjust Risk Levels With the LS/CMI

Guay, Jean‐Pierre; Parent, Geneviève

doi:10.1177/0093854817719482

Cited by 40 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…It could also be possible that some jurisdictions carry a more retributive philosophy and use overrides with sex offenders as a means of exacting sanctions that require increased supervision and treatment . Second, it is important to examine the influence of overrides on the predictive validity of risk assessment because researchers have found that predictive validity of a tool is usually harmed when overrides are used to adjust the risk score or level of a risk assessment (Guay & Parent, ; Wormith et al., ). Overrides may be especially harmful for predictive validity when examining sex offenders because of their high rate of use with this group (Carns & Martin, ; Wormith et al., ).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, a scant amount of research on overrides has been conducted with youth risk assessment. In fact, in the studies that were reviewed by Guay and Parent () and Wormith and colleagues (), the researchers used adult samples. They were reviewed here, though, to give a sense of what has been found in past research and to show the paucity of research that exists with youth samples.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overrides in risk assessment take place when a user of the tool decides to change some outcome of the risk assessment, such as adjusting the risk level produced by the tool to match what the user feels is a more accurate risk level. Research results have shown, however, that professional discretion typically leads to a reduction in the efficacy of risk assessment (Guay & Parent, ; Wormith, Hogg, & Guzzo, ). As a result, in this study, we will also explore the ways in which professionals justify using overrides with sex offenders and the impact that overrides have on the ability to use the OYAS‐Disposition Tool to predict recidivism with accuracy.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Validation and examination of the Ohio Youth Assessment System with juvenile sex offenders

Papp

Campbell

Miller

2019

Criminology & Public Policy

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Research Summary In this study, we examined the use of an actuarial risk assessment tool—the Ohio Youth Assessment System‐Disposition Tool (OYAS‐Disposition Tool)—with juvenile sex offenders. Specifically, the main goals of the study were to (a) examine the predictive validity of the tool with sex offenders and (b) explore the nature of the use of professional discretion used to override the tool. The sample consisted of 3,235 youth from a large juvenile county court in the Midwest. The results indicated that the OYAS‐Disposition Tool was a significantly better option for predicting general recidivism for sex offenders than it was for non–sex offenders. The tool was also an effective method for predicting sexual recidivism. Most importantly, however, the use of professional overrides significantly reduced the ability of researchers to apply the tool to predict new court petitions and adjudications to nonsignificant levels. Finally, several justifications were commonly used for overrides: treatment needs, offense seriousness, and use of an alternative sex‐offender–specific assessment. Policy Implications The findings in this study highlight several important policy implications that would improve the assessment process for juvenile sex offenders. First, agencies using specialized risk assessments designed for sex offenders may consider applying a general risk assessment tool to identify a broader set of criminogenic needs and to predict risk of general recidivism. Second, there is a need to evaluate policies and practices that allow for the use of professional discretion with sex offenders given that they reduce the predictive validity of the risk tool evaluated. The high rate of overrides for juvenile sex offenders and justification for their use go against best practices in corrections. For instance, overrides were often justified based on offense seriousness; however, focusing on evidence‐based criminogenic risk factors provides the best accuracy in predicting future offending. In this study, we call into question court policies that allow for overrides based on crime type or based on a practitioner's professional judgment concerning a juvenile's level of service needs. Last, agencies should consider validation research within their agency before full adoption of a general risk assessment tool to quell concerns about the use and accuracy of a tool for special populations like juvenile sex offenders.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Validation and examination of the Ohio Youth Assessment System with juvenile sex offenders

Papp

Campbell

Miller

2019

Criminology & Public Policy

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“…Research on the predictive validity of overrides is limited and the findings that do exist are mixed. 49,50 Some risk assessment tools are designed to predict general recidivism risk, including committing a new crime (nonviolent and violent) and violating conditions of probation or parole. More than 60 such risk assessment tools have been identified as being used in criminal justice settings in the United States.…”

Section: Predicting Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Principles and practices of risk assessment in mental health jail diversion programs

Desmarais

Lowder

2019

CNS Spectr.

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Eligibility criteria for participation in mental health jail diversion programs often specify that, to be diverted, a candidate must not pose a level of threat to public safety that cannot be managed in the community. Risk assessment tools were developed to increase consistency and accuracy in estimates of threat to public safety. Consequently, risk assessment tools are being used in many jurisdictions to inform decisions regarding an individual’s appropriateness and eligibility for mental health jail diversion and the strategies that may be successful in mitigating risk in this context. However, their use is not without controversy. Questions have been raised regarding the validity and equity of their estimates, as well as the impact of their use on criminal justice outcomes. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the science and practice of risk assessment to inform decisions and case planning in the context of mental health jail diversion programs. Our specific aims include: (1) to describe the process and components of risk assessment, including differentiating between different approaches to risk assessment, and (2) to consider the use of risk assessment tools in mental health jail diversion programs. We anchor this review in relevant theory and extant research, noting current controversies or debates and areas for future research. Overall, there is strong theoretical justification and empirical evidence from other criminal justice contexts; however, the body of research on the use of risk assessment tools in mental health jail diversion programs, although promising, is relatively nascent.

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“…It further provides a common language for professionals to use when discussing risk and risk mitigation (Canales et al, 2013). More importantly, when professionals deviate from the risk appraisal generated by evidence-based risk assessment instruments, the judgments rendered tend to be less accurate in their capacity to predict future criminal behaviour (Chappell et al, 2013;Guay & Parent, 2018;Wormith et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of the ODARA by police officers for intimate partner violence: Implications for practice in the field

Ballucci

Campbell

Gill

2020

JCSWB

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Despite research demonstrating the validity of the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) for appraising risk of subsequent intimate partner violence, gaps remain with regard to its actual use by police officers in the field. The primary goals of the current study were to assess the rate at which the ODARA was used by police officers for intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Canadian context and to identify factors associated with its use. The current study used 142 randomly selected police files meeting criteria for IPV from three police agencies in an Atlantic Canadian province, following province-wide training on domestic violence and the ODARA. The ODARA was used by police in 60.3% of cases, though more commonly when physical Violence was present at index (70%). Significant ODARA use variation was noted across the three police gencies. ODARAs were more likely administered when the suspect was using drugs/alcohol (76.4%), the incident was between parties in a current intimate relationship (67.0%), when physical violence occurred in the index event (70.6%), and when a weapon was used (84.2%). Decisions to arrest and recommend charges to the prosecutor were predicted by higher ODARA total scores, above and beyond the influence of the police organization, suspect/victim characteristics, and incident context variables. Results are discussed in the context of police discretion/decision-making and the need for stronger implementation and policy use guidelines for risk appraisal by police officers, which includes a better understanding of IPV and the ODARA.

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Broken Legs, Clinical Overrides, and Recidivism Risk: An Analysis of Decisions to Adjust Risk Levels With the LS/CMI

Cited by 40 publications

References 40 publications

Validation and examination of the Ohio Youth Assessment System with juvenile sex offenders

Validation and examination of the Ohio Youth Assessment System with juvenile sex offenders

Principles and practices of risk assessment in mental health jail diversion programs

Use of the ODARA by police officers for intimate partner violence: Implications for practice in the field

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