A systematic review finds that risk assessments do not increase racial disparities in criminal legal decisions—and in some cases, they may even help reduce them. A research brief and podcast provides additional context.
Why It Matters: This research provides essential insights for policymakers and practitioners considering using risk assessments to reduce disparities and improve fairness in criminal legal decision-making.
Key Research Findings
- Most evidence indicates risk assessments do not result in harsher treatment for individuals with minoritized racial and ethnic identities.
- More than one third of articles in this systematic review found that risk assessments helped decrease pre-existing racial and ethnic disparities in criminal legal decisions.
- Most of the included articles focused on pretrial-related outcomes and brief pretrial risk assessments.
Resources to Enhance Your Understanding
- Research Brief: This brief provides context, methodology, and actionable recommendations for criminal legal system practitioners and researchers.
- Data Points Podcast Episode: Drs. Gina Vincent and Spencer Lawson from the Law & Psychiatry Program at UMass Chan Medical School discuss how validated risk assessments when appropriately implemented and used fairly, can guide more equitable criminal legal decisions. They share what is needed to advance research in this field.