RT Article
T1 Optimizing Youth Risk Assessment Performance: Development of the Modified Positive Achievement Change Tool in Washington State
JF Criminal justice and behavior
VO 46
IS 8
SP 1106
OP 1127
A1 Hamilton, Zachary K. 1979-
A2 Kigerl, Alex
A2 Kowalski, Melissa A.
A2 Routh, Douglas
LA English
YR 2019
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1703412974
AB The Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) was developed in 1997 using a theoretical construction of items, responses, and weights. While derived from an original tool created for a Washington State probation population, the risk-need assessment is one of the most widely used youth tools utilized today. To advance the model from its theoretical construction, the current study demonstrates tool updates making use of a large sample of Washington State youth (N = 50,862). Specifically, several mechanisms were utilized to customize the assessment, including (a) item weighting, (b) outcome specificity, and (c) gender responsivity. Based on the updated design, we identify improvements in predictive validity of the continuous risk scale, accuracy of risk-level assignment, and reductions in racial/ethnic disparity. Scheduled to be implemented in the coming year, this article describes the development of the Modified Positive Achievement Change Tool (M-PACT).
K1 Risk assessment
K1 Predictive validity
K1 Recidivism
K1 Justice-involved youth
K1 Juvenile justice
DO 10.1177/0093854819857108