Citation

Ortega Courtney K, Howard J. J. Juv. Justice 2011; 1(1): 98-106.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, In Public Domain (U.S. Department of Justice OJJDP), Publisher CSR)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

risk instruments is rarely assessed. Because their reliability has rarely been examined, we developed a method for examining the reliability of the New Mexico Structured Decision Making Risk Instrument. This method involved creating sample cases that would include information needed to complete the instrument. Two Juvenile Probation Officers (JPOs) from each district in New Mexico were asked to rate ten sample cases. Upon completion of the initial reliability study, we determined that the instrument's reliability was unacceptable. We then undertook an intensive effort to increase its reliability, which included revising definitions and instructions for the instrument and retraining workers statewide. After revising and retraining, we reassessed the instrument's reliability. The results indicated substantial improvement in the instrument's reliability, ensuring equitable application and scoring of risk for youth throughout the state's cultural landscape. The method we used to improve the instrument's reliability resulted in the creation of the New Mexico Juvenile Justice Reliability Model. This method, although new, is relatively simple to use and effective. The resulting model for assessing and improving reliability can be used by others to assess the reliability of their instruments.
Key words: reliability, risk assessment, model programs, structured decision making, juvenile justice

Language: en