NCJ Number
191218
Date Published
2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report examines and evaluate the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) and the Assessment Case Recording and Evaluation (ACE), two assessment tools used widely in probation services. This study examined the abilities of instruments to predict reconviction as well as their reliability in assessing offender needs and the risks of reoffending.
Abstract
This study examined the abilities of instruments to predict reconviction as well as their reliability in assessing offender needs and the risks of reoffending. The LSI-R consists of 54 factors relating to reoffending. Some of these factors include the following: crime history, education, employment, family situations, attitudes to crime, drug use, as well as emotional and psychological factors. Once the factors are determined a score is calculated. The ACE, on the other hand, consists of several different forms. These forms include an initial assessment, supervision plan, progress reports, and a self-completion form for offenders. These forms assess different factors such as needs, accommodations, and employment. Even though these forms vary between services, the core elements are the same. Both instruments predicted reconviction successfully and proved to be reliable throughout many repeated assessments. The LSI-R and the ACE have had substantial development and refinement. This is important because it demonstrates that these instruments are not only capable of performing in principle, but also in routine practice. Tables, references