RT Article
T1 Racial Bias and LSI-R Assessments in Probation Sentencing and Outcomes
JF Criminal justice and behavior
VO 46
IS 2
SP 210
OP 233
A1 Lowder, Evan Marie
A2 Kroner, Daryl G.
A2 Desmarais, Sarah L.
A2 Morrison, Megan M.
LA English
YR 2019
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1702917487
AB Risk assessments are now implemented in correctional settings across the United States as an evidence-based strategy to inform sentencing and supervision decisions. Despite growing research examining racial bias in the predictive validity of risk assessments, few studies have investigated racial bias in the context of judicial decision-making. We investigated the interactive contributions of race and Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) risk assessments in predicting sentence length and probation outcomes in 11,792 Black and White probationers. Results showed White probationers at low-risk levels received longer sentences relative to Black probationers classified at the same risk levels. However, there were few differences at higher risk levels and no evidence of racial bias in the predictive accuracy of LSI-R assessments for other probation outcomes. Findings highlight the need for prospective and carefully controlled investigations into whether risk assessments improve the fairness and accuracy of sentencing and other risk management decisions.
K1 Risk assessment
K1 Racial bias
K1 Probation
K1 Sentencing
K1 Predictive validity
DO 10.1177/0093854818789977