The Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) is a dynamic risk/needs assessment instrument that has been used extensively among a variety of offender samples. Validity research on the LSI-R, however, is based on samples consisting predominantly of Caucasian participants. The present study sought to examine the psychometric properties and validity of the instrument among a sample of African American and Hispanic male offenders. Participants were 446 male parolees residing in three halfway houses and one day reporting center. Three hundred and thirty-four offenders (75% of the sample) were of African American heritage and 112 (25%) were of Hispanic heritage. Analyses of the psychometric properties and validity of the LSI-R were conducted separately for each ethnic group. Results indicated the instrument had acceptable psychometric properties, but that the predictive validity results were lower than previous studies on the LSI-R. Results are discussed within the context of the invariance of risk variables and the applicability of the LSI-R to various offender groups.

The Level of Service Inventory—Revised (LSI-R) is an actuarially derived risk assessment instrument with a demonstrated reputation and record of supportive research. It has shown predictive validity on several offender populations. Although a significant literature has emerged on the validity and use of the LSI-R, no research has specifically examined change scores or the dynamics of reassessment and its importance with respect to case management. Flores, Lowenkamp, Holsinger, and Latessa and Lowenkamp and Bechtel, among others, specifically identify the importance and need to examine LSI-R reassessment scores. The present study uses a sample of parolees ( N = 179) from various community corrections programs that were administered the LSI-R at two different times. Results indicate that both mean composite and subcomponent LSI-R scores statistically significantly decreased between Time 1 and Time 2. The practical, theoretical, and policy implications of these results are discussed.

Much talk has surrounded the use of risk assessment in community corrections. Community corrections agencies continue to struggle with what risk instrument to adopt and how to implement it in a comprehensive way. One of the most important factors that impedes the successful implementation of risk assessment instruments is organizational politics. This essay evaluates some of the organizational politics that inhibit the successful implementation of risk assessment instruments and highlights several factors that can mitigate this effect.

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