Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-28-2023
Publication Title
Journal of Criminal Justice
Volume
90
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2023.102146
Abstract
Purpose
While risk instruments are consistently used to aid classification and supervision decisions, needs assessments guide intervention efforts for individuals under supervision. At the core of the Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) model and the General Personality and Cognitive Social Learning (GPCSL) theory, dynamic needs scoring allows agencies to identify change in needs over time. Yet, few studies have assessed the potential impact of changes among needs items. To overcome this limitation, the current study assesses how needs score change may influence recidivism propensity among youth.Methods
Using multi-level frailty models, the current study examines how changes in youth needs assessment scores influence time-to-recidivism among a large (N = 42,922), multi-state sample of justice-involved youth assessed with the Modified Positive Achievement Change Tool (MPACT).Results
Findings demonstrate that youth with increased needs scores and those that remained the same at reassessment had a greater propensity for recidivism, compared to those that decreased scores.Conclusions
Policy implications identify the effectiveness of the MPACT in measuring youth change, its utility for case management, and the needs domains most associated with recidivism reductions.Recommended Citation
Krushas, A., Hamilton, Z., Kigerl, A., & Mei, X. (2024b). Finding an answer in time: Assessing change in needs scores on time to recidivism among justice-involved youth. 90, 102146. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2023.102146
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in Journal of Criminal Justice on [December 28, 2023], available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2023.102146