This on-demand professional training program on Structured Professional Judgement and Racial Disparities in Risk Assessment is presented by Neil Hogan, Ph.D.

This program provides participants with an overview of the first empirical research studies evaluating racial disparities in structured professional judgment (SPJ) risk ratings. The program also identifies specific conceptual and theoretical vulnerabilities to racial biases within the SPJ approach to risk assessment, as well as the defenses of the system.

By the end of the program, participants have an increased understanding of what is known and unknown regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the SPJ model as applied to diverse ethnocultural groups. In turn, participants can make more informed decisions about their own professional work and make informed defenses of SPJ risk ratings in adversarial settings (e.g., if testifying in courts of law).

There are no prerequisite training requirements, but participants may benefit from having prior familiarity with foundational risk assessment, and foundational SPJ trainings. This program is designed to be broadly applicable to persons who conduct, use, or are otherwise influenced by formal risk or threat assessments, across forensic mental health, correctional, policing, and related settings.

1. New empirical findings related to racial disparities in structured professional judgment risk ratings as applied to Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons, using the HCR-20V3 and SARA-V3

2. Case studies and theoretical discussion to explain how racial disparities can arise and what their implications are for assessors and others impacted by formal risk assessments