The National Parole Resource Center (NPRC) is joining with its partner, the Urban Institute, to deliver a Webinar for Paroling Authorities on Risk Assessment and Managing Low Risk Offenders. This webinar will help parole boards improve and strengthen their practice by considering how empirically valid information on offender risk can help shape parole decision-making practices—both with regard to setting expectations around program participation and with regard to the timing of release, with a particular emphasis on offenders assessed as low risk to reoffend. This session will highlight the research basis for ensuring that most low risk offenders not be required to complete scarce risk reduction programs as a result of parole board expectations and will explore the concept that many of these offenders –in the absence of other overriding concerns–can be considered for release from incarceration at the earliest possible time.
During this session, participants will be provided with information about:
- The ten "practice targets" for paroling authorities on reducing risk;
- Research that supports two of the specific practices that will be addressed during this session (target institutional and community resources to mid and high risk offenders to address their criminogenic needs; and consider for release, at the earliest stage possible – in light of statutes and other sentencing interests – offenders assessed as low risk);
- An overview of the components of risk assessment instruments and the role that information gleaned from assessment instruments might play in paroling authorities' policy and practice;
- Evidence-based responses to managing low risk offenders; and
- Resources available from the NPRC.
Faculty for the series will include:
- Peggy Burke (Moderator), Principal, Center for Effective Public Policy and Director, National Parole Resource Center
- William D. Burrell, Consultant, Urban Institute
- Jesse Jannetta, Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute
This webinar is open to all parole board members. If multiple members of a board elect to attend, where able, they are encouraged to dial in from one phone/computer in order to minimize costs to the NPRC. Please contact NPRC Project Manager, Leilah Gilligan, with questions: lgilligan@cepp.com.
To register for this webinar, click here.