Studying the Risk Assessment Tool



Today, PBT is releasing a new pamphlet, The Summary of Risk Assessment Studies" which contains a compilation of the most recent studies that address the use of “Risk Assessments.” Previously championed by many advocates for change, the last few years have seen a substantial erosion in the support for risk assessments.  Now many of the groups and individuals who initially supported risk assessments oppose their use.  Further, the most recent scholarly research studies on the topic have consistently come to the same conclusion that risk assessments should not be used as a part of criminal justice reform.  This pamphlet highlights that: 

  • Over 100 civil rights groups released a statement opposing the use of risk assessments;
  • A group of leading technology companies have voiced concerns about using these tools in the criminal justice system.
  • The research concludes that the algorithmic prediction has the potential to amplify social inequity.
  • Kentucky found that after the implementation of the Arnold Foundation PSA failures to appear increased 24% and the fugitive rate increased 20%.

A hyperlinked copy of the pamphlet can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.

Update- Since releasing this pamphlet-  The Pretrial Justice Institute has issued a statement stating that it was wrong to support the use of Risk Assessments and now opposes their use.  You can see the press release by CLICKING HERE.

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