Risk and Need Assessment: Theory and Practice

The ASC Division on Corrections and Sentencing Handbook Series will publish at least one volume each year on topics ranging from violence risk assessment to specialty courts for drug users, veterans, or the mentally ill. By the terms of our agreement with ASC, signed last week, every division member's dues will include payment for a paperback or ebook of each handbook at a members-only price of $35. This arrangement ensures sales of approximately 500 copies of each handbook, above and beyond sales of hardbacks to the global library market and full-price sales of paperbacks for individual scholars or course adoptions. The initial term of the agreement is 3 years, with automatic renewal at 3-year intervals thereafter. Each volume will be overseen and developed by Ellen Boyne for the Routledge CJ & Criminology editorial team. The first volume covers risk assessments for individuals being considered for parole or probation. No corrections practitioner or elected official wants to release the next Willie Horton to commit further violent crimes. Evidence-based approaches to such decisions help take the emotion and politics out of community corrections. As the US begins to back away from ineffective, expensive policies of mass incarceration, this handbook will provide the resources needed to help ensure both public safety and effective rehabilitation of offenders. Future volumes in the series may examine such important contemporary issues as: * Sentencing and Corrections in Terrorism Cases * Mental Illness in Sentencing and Corrections * Desistance * Justice Disparity * Mass Criminalization See more