Review and Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real Probation Officer practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Review and Assessment flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a risk/needs assessment in probation?
Answer: To identify factors driving reoffending and guide supervision
Risk/needs assessments identify criminogenic factors so supervision and services can target what drives reoffending.
Which of the following is considered a 'dynamic' risk factor?
Answer: Current substance abuse
Dynamic factors like substance abuse can change over time and be targeted for intervention.
A validated assessment tool primarily helps a probation officer to:
Answer: Make supervision decisions more consistent and evidence-based
Validated tools standardize judgment and ground decisions in research rather than guesswork.
When an offender's risk level is reassessed and drops, the officer should typically:
Answer: Adjust the supervision plan toward lower intensity
Supervision intensity should match current risk, so a lower score usually warrants reduced contact.
The 'risk principle' in evidence-based practice states that:
Answer: Higher-risk offenders should receive more intensive intervention
The risk principle directs the most intensive resources toward higher-risk offenders.
Over-supervising a low-risk offender can:
Answer: Increase the chance of reoffending by disrupting prosocial ties
Research shows intensive supervision of low-risk offenders can disrupt jobs and family and raise recidivism.
Which statement best describes a reassessment during the supervision period?
Answer: It periodically updates risk and needs to keep the plan current
Reassessment captures change over time so the case plan stays aligned with current risk and needs.