An evaluation of Humboldt County's Juvenile Detention Risk Assessment Tool

An evaluation of the Humboldt County Juvenile Detention Risk Assessment Tool was conducted. Those probation officers that use the tool were interviewed to determine if all of the parts of the tool are functional and if the tool is operating as it is supposed to be operating. The interview questions focused on the methods in which the probation officers fill out the tool, as well as focusing on the officer's attitudes toward the tool. It can be concluded from this evaluation that the tool would operate effectively if more uniformity existed in the way in which the tool is filled out. This can be accomplished by formulating policies on how to address certain sections of the tool.