The Predictive Utility of the Wisconsin Risk Needs Assessment Instrument in a Sample of Successfully Released Texas Probationers

Predictive actuarial risk needs assessment research has focused on probation completion. This research examines the predictive utility of the Wisconsin Risk Needs Assessment instrument as used with Texas probationers. The purpose of the research reported in this article is threefold: (1) to determine the rate of rearrest for successfully released probationers; (2) to examine the predictive utility of the Wisconsin Risk Needs Assessment instrument in a sample of successfully released probationers; and (3) to determine if the assessment tool correctly classifies probationers according to their risk of rearrest. The Wisconsin instrument predictive utility appears to be 12.5% better than chance. Several recommendations for future research of released probationers are proposed.