DCJS
Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
COMPAS
PRETRIAL SCREEN
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
Evolution of Risk/Needs Assessment
3
 Increasingly popular in the field
of corrections
 Supported by the “What Works”
literature
 Guides case management and
supervision practices
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
6
The Evolution of Assessment – 3rd Generation Tools
• Third Generation Tools
• 1970s & 1980s – emphasis on static and
dynamic factors
• Advantages
– Guides application of the principles of effective
intervention: RNR
– Ensures that appropriate crimenogenic targets are
identified for intervention
– Guides the intensity of intervention, supervision and
case planning
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
Characteristics of a Good Assessment Tool
 Reliable – objective enough to
provide the same results with
different assessors
 Valid – accurately predict and
measure risk and change
 Useful and Practical – able to
assist with supervision and case
management
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
7
Advantages
 Noted increases in predictive
accuracy
 Promotes a common theoretical
model
 Assists in the identification of factors
correlated with future criminal
behavior
 Guides the development of a case
management plan
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
9
Advantages
 Guides the identification and
effective use of resources
 Guides the assignment of levels of
supervision and service
 Increases staff proficiency
 Increases assessment and interview
skill
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
10
COMPAS
11
Correctional Offender Management Profiling for
Alternative Sanctions
 Implemented in NYS for OPCA
 Used in every stage of probation work
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Pre-Trial
Pre-Sentence Investigation
Classification and Supervision
Case Planning
Reclassification
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
COMPAS
Correctional Offender Management Profiling for
Alternative Sanctions - Continued

Pretrial Screen Revised in 2013

Validated on New York sample

Normed for incarceration status and gender
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Three Risk Scales: FTA, Violence, Recidivism
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Needs Scales: 3 historical; 16 crimenogenic needs
scales

Specialized Screens

Ad Hoc Reporting
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
12
COMPAS
Correctional Offender Management Profiling for
Alternative Sanctions
 Screening
 Assessment
 “Springboard” PSI
 Supervision and Case Planning
 Reassessment
 Reclassification
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
16
COMPAS Profile
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Correctional Offender Management Profiling for
Alternative Sanctions - Continued
The COMPAS software provides an
easy to read risk and needs
assessment profile
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
COMPAS
COMPAS Profile
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
15
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COMPAS Pretrial Screen
12 Questions
Official Record
Screening Information
Criminal History: Current Charges,
Offense History (5 questions)
Family (1question)
Residential Stability (3 questions)
Vocation (1 question)
Substance Abuse (2 questions)
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
COMPAS Failure to Appear Scale
Low 1-4, Medium 5-7, High 8-10
Criminal History
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Current charge category
Pending warrants, holds, charges
Number of prior jail sentences of 30+ days
Number of new charges/arrests while on
probation
• Number of new arrests while other charges
are pending
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
COMPAS Failure to Appear Scale
Family
• Regular contact with family
Residential Stability
• Rent, Own, No lease (month to month),
Stays with others, No home
• Number of times moved last 12 months
• Years in the community, neighborhood
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES
COMPAS Failure to Appear Scale
Vocation
• Employment Status
Substance Abuse
• History of Drug Abuse
• History of Alcohol Abuse
NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
OFFICE OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES