United States, Multiple US states
US state courts and corrections agencies
COMPAS recidivism and pretrial risk scoring, supplied by Equivant, formerly Northpointe
OperationalAcademic researchPAI-AC0A345D
- Body
- US state courts and corrections agencies
- Country
- United States
- Area
- Multiple US states
- Technology
- COMPAS recidivism and pretrial risk scoring
- Supplier
- Equivant, formerly Northpointe
- Status
- Operational
In routine use by the named body, on the evidence of a public source. - Stage
- In use now
- Since
- 2000
- Legal basis
- State v Loomis (Wisconsin Supreme Court) held that a sentencing court may use a COMPAS risk assessment as a relevant factor but that it cannot be determinative, and required cautionary warnings about the instrument's limitations
- Oversight
- State court rules and case law; no dedicated regulator
- Evidence
- Academic research
Peer-reviewed study or university research - Source
- Harvard Law Review analysis of State v Loomis; California Courts summary
- Last checked
- Record code
PAI-AC0A345D
Notes
A fourth-generation risk and needs instrument combining static criminal history with dynamic criminogenic factors such as social environment and employment, producing general recidivism, violent recidivism and pretrial misconduct risk scores. Designed for correctional case management and rehabilitation planning, its use expanded into judicial sentencing. Broward County, Florida is a widely cited example.
The detailed input factor list circulating in secondary sources could not be confirmed against a primary vendor document, and is therefore not stated here as definitive. The legal position, by contrast, rests on the Loomis judgment and is well established.
COMPAS recidivism and pretrial risk scoring elsewhere in United States
See them in the tracker| Deployment | Country | Supplier | Since | Status | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US pretrial courts (multiple jurisdictions)Public Safety Assessment (PSA) | United StatesNationwide | Developed with support from Arnold Ventures; no commercial vendor | 2013 | Operational | |
| Wisconsin Department of CorrectionsCOMPAS risk and needs assessment | United StatesWisconsin | — | — | Operational | |
| Thurston County Pretrial ServicesPublic Safety Assessment (PSA) | United StatesWashington | — | 2023 | Operational |