Integrating Risk Context Into Risk Assessments: The Risk Context Scale. (April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kroner, Daryl G.; Gray, Andrew L.; Goodrich, Ben
• Is Part Of: Assessment. Volume 20:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 149
• Publication Date: 2013-04
• Subjects: criminal risk assessment -- risk context -- recidivism -- mediation analysis -- context ratings -- Risk Context Scale; Psychological tests -- Periodicals; Psychodiagnostics -- Periodicals; Personality tests -- Periodicals; 150.287
• DOI: 10.1177/1073191111429613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-1911

Abstract

The context in which offenders are released is an important component of conducting risk assessments. A sample of 257 supervised male parolees were followed in the community ( M = 870 days) after an initial risk assessment. Drawing on community-based information, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the recently developed Risk Context Scale. Four domains from the Risk Context Scale include Resource Engagement, Social Network Presence, Integration of Care, and Social Stability. Using mediation analysis, an initial static risk probability was altered up to 26% by accounting for risk context. Implications of the present results include a broader explanation of recidivism, offering intervention strategies, and further individualizing risk assessments.