In 2000, NIC funded a study by the University of Cincinnati to learn about custody classification procedures in women’s prisons. What came out of that study was that 36 states had not validated their prison classification system for women and there was strong evidence that women were being over classified across the United States.
The 2000 study led to a cooperative agreement between NIC and the University of Cincinnati, specifically Dr. Van Voorhis, to develop a risk, needs and strengths assessment designed for women, which is when the WRNA was created.
The WRNA is the only validated, peer-reviewed risk/needs assessment instrument specifically designed from the ground up, by and for justice-involved women.
Understanding the WRNA
There are the 3 versions of the WRNA; of them are post-conviction risk assessments:
Institutional
The Institutional (intake) version of the WRNA is validated for the prediction of serious misconducts. The interview and survey should be administered approximately three to five weeks after prison intake. People who are newly admitted into carceral or residential settings should not be interviewed immediately following intake, but rather afforded a reasonable period of adjustment prior to participating in the WRNA. Individuals who are returned to prison on a parole violation (with new, additional charges) will typically be treated as a new intake.
Pre-Release
The Pre-Release version of the WRNA is validated for the prediction of community recidivism. The interview and survey should be administered approximately 90-120 days before release. These may include individuals who are 90-120 days out from Prison Release, at Pre-Release Centers, Secure Halfway Houses, or Residential Treatment. Individuals who are returned to prison on a parole violation (without new, additional charges) will typically be treated as pre-release inmates.
Probation
The Probation version of the WRNA is validated for the prediction of community recidivism. It is meant to be utilized in community supervision (probation or parole/post-release). The interview and survey should be administered on approximately the second or third visit with the probation/parole officer.
What you should know to adopt the WRNA
Overview of the WRNA manuals
How do you recommend introducing the WRNA to clients?
Taking time to provide an introduction is vital to gathering accurate information and to trauma-informed interviewing. Agencies should have developed important points for an introduction during end-user training. The important topics to cover include:
- A general overview of the WRNA, its purpose, the various scales including the structure (i.e., interview, survey) and duration (i.e., approximately 45 minutes)
- Detail about the expectations for the Trauma/Abuse Scale and permission to skip
- How results will be used by your agency
- Who will see the results of the WRNA
- Mandatory reporting for threats of violence to self or others
- Acute suicidality or crisis
- Solicit questions and feedback from the client before starting and again when concluding the interview
Introduction of the WRNA to a client
Gender-Responsive approach to the WRNA
Full-Length training videos
If you would like to watch a full-length training video, please visit this page.