Addressing racial bias in parole decisions: A pre-registered study of the Five-Level Risk and Needs System of risk communication

Abstract

ABSTRACT Indigenous peoples are disproportionately influenced by biases in risk assessment and risk communication. The Five-Level Risk and Needs System (5-levels) is a risk communication strategy that adds standardized definitions to risk categories and incorporates evidence-based recommendations for rehabilitation. The current pre-registered study examined the ability of the 5-levels to mitigate biases in a mock parole case using a 2 (risk communication format: status quo vs. 5-levels) × 2 (race: Indigenous vs. White) between-subjects design. Four hundred and twenty-three community members residing in Canada were asked to make decisions regarding parole and other risk, treatment amenability, and report utility outcomes. Risk communication format had no effect on parole. However, participants in the 5-levels condition did provide more accurate risk information than those in the status quo condition. The 5-levels system was also rated lower in terms of understandability and resulted in lower levels of confidence in decisions. Contrary to expectations, participants assigned to the case involving an Indigenous client were more likely to grant parole and provided more favourable ratings of the client compared to participants assigned the case of a White client. Findings from this study may inform risk communication strategies resulting in more consistent and reliable decision-making.