The Risk of Recidivism and the Positive Achievement Change Tool Pre-Screen (PACT-PS): An Initial Validation and Basic Program Implementation Evaluation

Abstract

The juvenile justice system has long been challenged to provide security for communities, while also providing treatment and sanctioning youthful offenders. This task includes the process of determining which offenders pose a low-risk to their community and/or themselves, and would best be served by release to their “normal” daily lives and home environments with little to no supervision; as well as, which youth pose a higher risk, best served by detention placement. Risk assessment instruments, such as the Positive Achievement Change Tool Pre-Screen (PACT-PS) assessed in this research, aid in this determination by allowing practitioners in this process to make risk determinations based on scientific estimations of probability. Outcome validation and program implementation evaluations of the PACT-PS are underreported in the peer reviewed literature in the 13 years of the instruments “life.” In this dissertation, both quantitative and qualitative methods are utilized to provide an initial validation and basic program implementation evaluation to assess the PACT-PS within Johnson County Kansas’ Department of Corrections. The secondary data under review are the 3,538 youth that were detained by law enforcement or served a “Notice to Appear” in court, from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2012. This data include 3,036 youth that voluntarily completed the PACT-PS instrument at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center; as well as a review of the 502 youth who declined to participate in the PACT-PS. Only basic level statistics were conducted on the quantitative data due to the data’s basic level of mathematical sophistication; as well as, collinear issues existing between the independent variables (primarily demographic indicators), and the dependent variable (recidivism as measured by the risk determinations provided). Frequency and descriptive statistics are reported to describe the population of youth offenders in Johnson County Kansas. A basic correlation and validation of the PACT-PS has been determined according to Crosstab, ChiSquare, and regression analysis; and, a failing level of program implementation integrity according to the Johnson Scale of Program Integrity (JSPI). Observations are made regarding strengths of the PACT-PS and current JCDOC Program; and, recommendations are offered for program improvement to raise the JSPI results