Addressing Contemporary Issues in Correctional Risk Assessment Through the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Re-entry

This thesis examined three critical issues in assessing risk of recidivism for people on community-based corrections orders (e.g. parole). Using large samples of people on parole in Aotearoa New Zealand and Victoria, Australia, this thesis examined how risk and needs language can be standardised, the cross-ethnicity performance of risk assessment tools, and how to appropriately measure and incorporate changes in risk factors. All studies focussed on the Dynamic Risk Assessment for Offender Re-entry (DRAOR), a case-management tool used by community corrections supervision officers. Results from this thesis will assist in improving correctional risk and needs assessment practices.