ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the main functions of the Juvenile Risk and Needs Assessment (JRNA) process and provides a snapshot of the current state of JRNA. First, important JRNA terms are defined (e.g., static and dynamic risk factors, criminogenic needs, protective factors). Then, the history and development of risk/need assessments within the justice system are broadly addressed. A three-step JRNA process that involves information gathering, scoring and analysis, and matching risk and needs to juvenile justice interventions is presented along with the major advantages of JRNA usage. This chapter also includes a detailed discussion of the empirical support for JRNA, which focuses heavily on tests of predictive and incremental validity. Finally, some important limitations of the current state of JRNA research are presented. These limitations establish some general themes for the analysis and discussion in the rest of the book.
