NCJ Number
80193
Date Published
1980
Length
62 pages
Annotation
This document provides objective information for use in offender risk assessment activities within the fifth judicial district Department of Correctional Services of the State of Iowa.
Abstract
Objective experience data for the Iowa system is synthesized in such a way that judgments can be made as to the potential likelihood and seriousness of new charges against specified types of offenders handled by the department. Although the experience data presented summarizes past experiences in the statewide probation/parole system during 1974-76, the classification and ratings are believed to be reliable enough to be applied in individual jurisdictions and at any stage of the criminal justice process at which judgments of offender risk are made. To allow two different perspectives on the dimension of risk, dual risk assessment systems are provided, one based on five factors and the other on just two. The five-factor system is based on key variables that show consistently strong relationships with observed recidivism rates in Iowa, namely current age, age at first arrest, number of prior arrests, number of prior incarcerations, and type of convicting (or charged) offense. The two-factor system is based on current age and the level of the offender's most serious prior justice system involvement. In the actual screening process, the two-factor system should be used only as a supplement to the five-factor ratings. Definitions, rates, coding instructions, sample coding forms, and interpretation of results are included. (Author summary modified)