Engage Dr. Tammy Meredith and the Center for Effective Public Policy to
1. Analyze/revalidate Rhode Island’s parole risk assessment instrument(s) to ensure the instrument(s) are producing valid assessments of risk and criminogenic needs
2. Provide recommendations for improvements to the tools to better supplement the paroling authority’s discretionary decision-making process and/or condition-setting; including testing recommendations on study cohort to demonstrate impact
3. Assess current synthesis of the instruments with Rhode Island’s existing parole and supervision standards
4. Provide education and training to board and key personnel on the revalidated instrument, identified outcomes of interest and implementation in paroling practices in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Parole Board and Department of Corrections would like to update/re-validate our parole risk assessment instrument to ensure its predictive reliability and use in parole decision-making/condition-setting. This has a direct impact on our fulfilling our mission to enhance public safety, contribute to the prudent use of public resources, and consider the safe and successful re-entry of offenders through discretionary parole - and to do so with accountability and transparency.
we believe all stakeholders will benefit from this project. Other refers to parole board members and users of the revalidated risk instrument
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from: James T. Lah, NTTAC Specialist
Technical assistance received in 2016; subcontractors Center for Effective Public Policy and Applied Research Services (Dr. Tammy Meredith):
1. Assess Rhode Island’s existing parole risk assessment instruments
2. Ensure the instruments are producing valid assessments of risk and criminogenic needs
3. Provide recommendations for recalibration or alterations to the tools to better supplement the paroling authority’s discretionary decision making process; and
4. Assist in the synthesis of the instruments with Rhode Island’s existing parole standards.
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By using the professionals who previously validated and assisted us in this project in 2016, both of whom remain trusted professionals in the field, we believe we will be able to design a cost-effective and efficient project. Dr. Meredith would be analyzing recent data (vs. designing a new methodology) and the DOC has the same data system as in 2016. We are open to the recommendations by BJA. Most of the data-sharing and analysis can be done remotely with the expectation that some training will need to be done on-site. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Please note corrected address of agency: 40 Howard Avenue