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1 Risk Assessment Tools: COMPAS Author Affiliation Course Instructor Due date

2 Risk Assessment Tools: COMPAS Various instruments exist for assessing risks. Every employee at the organization needs to know how to use them, when to utilize them, and how to evaluate the information given. This handout offers an overview of the recidivism risk assessment tool utilized in several US jurisdictions, called COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions). It is intended to assist professionals in comprehending the use of COMPAS, interpreting the data it offers, and putting that data to use in their work with justice system clients. Meaning of COMPAS COMPAS is a software program created by Northpointe, Inc. that delves into the complex field of criminal risk assessment. It examines a number of variables, such as demographics, criminal histories, social backgrounds, and behavioral patterns, using an advanced algorithm to produce two vital scores (Pierson, 2018). First, The General Recidivism Risk Score (GRRS), which is expressed as a probability on a range from 1 to 10, indicates the possibility that an offender will commit any new crimes in the next two years. Elevated scores signify an increased likelihood of reoffending. Second, the Violent Recidivism Risk Score (VRRS), which is similar to the GRRS in that it evaluates the likelihood that an offender would commit a violent crime within the next two years, is likewise between 1 and 10 (Pierson, 2018). When making judgments about the placement and supervision of offenders, it is quite important. What COMPAS Assesses The advanced recidivism risk assessment tool, COMPAS, uses a broad approach to collect data in order to forecast an offender's future actions. It explores a range of facets of a person's life, drawing information from multiple crucial domains. It assesses demographics,

3 which comprise fundamental details such as age, gender, and ethnicity. They give background information about the person and any possible risk factors related to these demographics. It assesses the criminal past by examining an individual's prior transgressions, convictions, and jail time, reveals their history of dealing with the law, and provides information about their propensity to commit new crimes. It also assesses social and behavioral factors. COMPAS looks at a person's work history, degree of education, and support network within the family. By providing light on their social stability and possible sources of support, this knowledge can significantly contribute to the prevention of recidivism (Bejarano, 2021). It can be helpful to look into a person's past for substance addiction and mental health problems in order to find potential triggers and vulnerabilities that may lead to criminal action in the future. Application of COMPAS COMPAS is used in various instances. Pretrial release decisions can be made with the assistance of COMPAS, which can assist in determining whether a criminal can be safely released into the community pending trial (Bejarano, 2021). Usually, the GRRS score is applied in this way. Judges can utilize COMPAS to help them decide on an offender's suitable sentence by using it as guidance when making sentencing choices (Bejarano, 2021). In this situation, the VRRS and GRRS scores can both be applied. More so, when probationers and parolees are under supervision, COMPAS can be used to identify individuals who pose a high risk of reoffending and to establish targeted interventions (Bejarano, 2021). Decisions about supervision are based on the GRRS and VRRS scores. It is also applied when deciding where to house offenders in jails and prisons. COMPAS can be utilized as guidance, and the VRRS score is quite important (Bejarano, 2021). Interpreting COMPAS Scores

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4 Greater scores indicate a higher likelihood of recidivism. COMPAS scores are expressed as a number between 1 and 10 (Brennan & Dieterich, 2018). The fact that these ratings are not ideal indicators of future conduct should be noticed. In a bigger decision-making process, they ought to be considered a single piece of information. For example, assisting in decisions relating to pretrial release. In this instance, a judge must make the difficult choice to free a defendant who is awaiting trial for a nonviolent offense. The defendant makes a good first impression because of his spotless criminal record and his supportive family. Nevertheless, before rendering a decision, the court looks for more advice. Using an analysis of the defendant's data, this tool produces an important number known as the General Recidivism Risk number (GRRS) (Pierson, 2018). The defendant, in this instance, obtains a score of 3, indicating a minimal likelihood of reoffending in the next two years. The judge is now better equipped to make a well-informed choice due to this important information. The judge may decide to grant the defendant bail because of their low-risk profile and belief that they will not seriously endanger public safety. In sum, COMPAS offers insightful information that helps the criminal justice system make wise decisions. It is crucial to use it sensibly by taking into account more data and using expert judgment. Together, they enable us to advance justice and public safety effectively. Notably, depending on the country, the precise applications of COMPAS may vary. It is advised to speak with the appropriate authorities in order to obtain comprehensive information regarding its use in a particular state. They will have access to the most recent and reliable information.

5 References Bejarano Carbo, M. P. (2021). Machine learning applications in the United States criminal justice system: A critical content analysis of the COMPAS recidivism risk assessment. Brennan, T., & Dieterich, W. (2018). Correctional offender management profiles for alternative sanctions (COMPAS). Handbook of recidivism risk/needs assessment tools , 49-75. Pierson, A. M. (2018). Validation of the Correctional Offender Management and Profiling Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) (Doctoral dissertation, Fordham University).

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