Showing papers by "Christopher T. Lowenkamp published in 2004"

Empirical Evidence on the Importance of Training and Experience in Using the Level of Service Inventory-Revised

Abstract: Recent trends in corrections have mandated the adoption and use of risk and need assessments for offenders. Research indicates that many correctional agencies around the country either currently use or are in the process of implementing risk and need assessment instruments. One example of an instrument that is being implemented on a wide scale is the Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R). Data from Multi-Health Systems, Inc. (MHS), the company that markets the LSI-R, indicate that more than 600 agencies in United States currently use this risk/need assessment tool. While increasing use of objective classification instruments is encouraging, simultaneously there are growing concerns regarding the effective implementation of these “third-generation” risk/need assessment tools. The authors of the LSI-R, in discussing risk assessment in general, express concern about the ability of correctional practitioners to understand and properly administer risk assessment instruments. Research by Bonta, Bogue, Crowley, and Motiuk (2001) that investigated the implementation of the LSI-R indicated error rates that were of concern. Their research also indicated that these error rates could be reduced through the use of training prior to implementation. While currently there is a lack of quality assurance research conducted on other instruments such as the Wisconsin Risk and Need scales or the Salient Factor Score, it is conceivable that errors occur in these instruments as well. This may be particularly true when considering the potential for agencies, which may be in a rush to implement best practices, to skip necessary, preliminary research and training.