Reducing Custodial Violence: The Development and Validation of Two Risk Assessment Instruments That Predict the Perpetrators and Victims of Interpersonal Violence in Jail

Interpersonal violence is pervasive in many correctional institutions. Such acts can produce immediate and vicarious harms to those who live and work in these settings. Risk assessments can provide information that is useful for implementing strategies to reduce custodial violence. In this study, the author collaborated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office to develop and validate two separate risk assessment tools that predict the perpetrators and victims of violence in jail, respectively. Results demonstrate that both instruments were highly effective and work well across gender and race subgroups. The research and policy implications of the study’s findings are discussed.