Modifying a Risk Assessment Instrument for Youthful Offenders

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Forensic Psychology
• Correctional Rehabilitation

Background:

• High incarceration and recidivism rates in the US necessitate effective offender management strategies.
• Youthful offenders face unique challenges in education and employment post-release, increasing re-entry difficulties.
• Accurate risk and needs assessment is crucial for tailoring rehabilitation programs and reducing prison returns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and initial psychometric properties of the Global Risk Assessment Device (GRAD) in an adult correctional setting.
• To determine if the GRAD, originally for juveniles, can be adapted for adult male youthful offenders.
• To provide a foundation for future validation studies of the GRAD in adult populations.

Main Methods:

• Administered the modified Global Risk Assessment Device (GRAD) to 895 male youthful offenders in an adult correctional system.
• Conducted confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the instrument's structure.
• Examined the feasibility of implementing the GRAD within the correctional system.

Main Results:

• The implementation of the GRAD within the adult correctional system was feasible.
• Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the modified GRAD factor structure is invariant across different age groups and races.
• Initial psychometric properties suggest the GRAD's potential utility for this population.

Conclusions:

• The Global Risk Assessment Device (GRAD) shows promise as a feasible tool for assessing risks and needs in adult male youthful offenders.
• The instrument's factor structure appears consistent across demographic subgroups, supporting its potential for broader application.
• Further research is required to establish the predictive validity and sensitivity of the GRAD for enhancing offender rehabilitation and community re-entry outcomes.