Fidelity Measures for Risk-Need Assessment (RNA) Tools Usage in Case Plans

Abstract

ABSTRACT Risk-need assessment (RNA) tools are considered the gold standard of probation and parole supervision. The value of having an RNA tool is that the information can be used in case plans and supervising individuals. Practitioners and researchers frequently observe that officers fail to use RNA results in case plans. This study fills in this research gap by providing four fidelity measures to assess how well probation officers incorporated RNA tool results in case plans. The four measures are: 1) whether a person has a criminogenic or responsivity need in a particular area; 2) the consistency between the LSI-R subscale criminogenic/responsivity need area(s) and special condition(s), 3) whether the officer incorporated the LSI-R need areas into a case plan (yes/no), and, 4) the degree to which the special conditions are reflected in the case plan. A review of 116 RNA tools (using one specific instrument) and case plans was conducted to illustrate the feasibility of these fidelity measures. The study found discrepancies between the RNA tool results and case plans, and a tendency to emphasize special conditions over criminogenic needs. The use of the fidelity measures can assist agencies in identifying areas to improve operations and greater adherence to the quality supervision measures. Implications for future practice are covered in the discussion of this study.