NCJ Number
153336
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: January 1995 Pages: 23-27
Date Published
January 1995
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The Youth Management Assessment instrument is described in terms of its development and use in evaluating the risk that a youthful offender will commit an offense involving serious personal injury while in the community or in custody in Canada.
Abstract
The assessment procedure aimed to cover the wide range of violent antisocial behavior committed by adolescents and to provide structure and guidelines while permitting correctional staff discretion in determining the threat imposed by each young offender. The instrument assesses 12 individual risk factors grouped into four general categories: offenses, problematic behavior, personal characteristics, and administrative concerns. The assessment is completed in a four-step process that results in a risk assessment and strategy for the young offender. Following preliminary pilot work to refine the instrument, the Youth Management Assessment was administered by probation and parole officers in Ontario to 202 young offenders in conjunction with the preparation of presentence reports. The validity of the procedure was also examined in a secure custody setting; social work staff administered the assessment to 14 young offenders within 3 days of their admission to the institution. The studies suggest that the procedure provides a reasonable means of assessing risks of youthful offenders. Figures and 8 references