Abstract

Risk assessment is a means of determining the ‘risk’ an offender poses in terms of future offending behavior. Against the backdrop of offenders repeating criminal acts and being reimprisoned, a case will be made here that by utilizing standardized, evidence-based risk assessment tools, an offender can be more effectively and efficiently treated and supported during the period of contact with the criminal justice system. To support this argument, this article starts with the evolution of risk assessment, and continues to describe the key model and empirical base driving this initiative, including the positive outcomes stemming from adhering to the principles of effective treatment, those of risk, need, and responsivity, as well as when using the Level of Service (LSI) instruments to predict general recidivism. While advising caution regarding instrument applicability to other populations, this review indicates that empirically-supported risk assessment tools can better service the offending client, the criminal justice professional, and the public at large.