The SPARC -13 Survey

Part Two of the Risk and Needs Assessment Program mandated by the First Step Act is the development of the Needs Assessment portion of the law. The Standardized Prisoner Assessment for Reduction in Criminality (SPARC-13) is the Bureau of Prisons answer to the Risk Needs Assessment. The risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model that was originally articulated by Andrews, Bonta, and Hoge and developed into the gold standard for effective assessment and intervention within the correctional population was modified by the BOP and thus SPARC-13 was put into use in January 2020. It continues to be used system-wide for all federally sentenced inmates to this date.

There are 13 Measures used to determine the individuals "Needs" that have the potential to reduce the risk of recidivism (returning to prison within a three year span after formal release). Of the 13 measures, four of the measures are captured by responses that the individual inputs into the Online Surveys. Those surveys will be available to you upon entry into custody and are completed on the Trust Fund Limited Communications System (TRULINCS). It is the same system you use to access email messaging while incarcerated. 

The results of the surveys are compiled and shared with BOP staff to assist them in determining your Needs Programming. These results are then communicated to you by your Unit Team and Evidence Based Recidivism Reduction (EBRR) Programming classes are assigned based on your determined needs. You are not limited to only those classes assigned by the Unit Team. You can participate in all classes available if you so desire. Participation in FSA Classes and Productive Activities will help you lower your PATTERN Risk Score in the “Programs Completed” column. The Golden Rule here is, participate, participate and participate some more!

It is very important that every person entering the Bureau of Prisons complete these 4 online surveys as soon as possible. Completing the surveys allows you to start participating in FSA Programming and begin earning First Step Act Earned Time Credits. You should know that those classes assigned by the Unit Team are mandatory. Refusal to participate in the assigned classes (aka "Opting Out") will result in you being placed in Refusal Status. If you are placed in Refusal Status, you cannot earn FSA Time Credits. 

Anger/Hostility - Psychology Services - Online Survey *

• Anger Management is a cognitive-behavioral curriculum designed to help individuals better manage their anger.
•   The BAAQ is a six-item measure used for the quick assessment of anger and aggression levels. The BAAQ has been shown to have satisfactory reliability and validity; it has shown a significant relationship with  another widely used anger assessment.

Antisocial Peers - Psychology Services - Online Survey *

• Associating primarily with peers involved in criminal behavior puts one at higher risk of sharing in that behavior.
• The MCAA is a two-part self-report measure of criminal thinking style and antisocial associates. Part A is a quantified self-report measure of antisocial associates. Part B contains four attitude scales: Violence,  Entitlement, Antisocial Intent, and Associates. The MCAA has demonstrated significant associations with other measures of criminal thinking style and predictive validity for the outcomes of general and violent  recidivism.

 Cognitions - Psychology Services - Online Survey *

• Antisocial cognitions are characterized by a belief and values system supportive of crime. Cognitive emotional states typically involve resentment and defiance.
• The MCAA is a two-part self-report measure of criminal thinking style and antisocial associates. Part A is a quantified self-report measure of antisocial associates. Part B contains four attitude scales: Violence,  Entitlement, Antisocial Intent, and Associates. The MCAA has demonstrated significant associations with other measures of criminal thinking style and predictive validity for the outcomes of general and violent  recidivism.

Education - Education Department - PSR, TABE & CASAS

• Low levels of involvement and satisfaction in school can impact engagement in criminal behavior.
• Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS)

Dyslexia - Education Department - Two Phase Screening @ Education

• Dyslexia, a learning disorder most commonly caused by difficulty in phonological processing, is the number one cause of illiteracy.
• The BOP instituted a two-phase screening process. First, all inmates complete a screening instrument that examines symptoms across functional domains. Inmates who reach the threshold are then administered the  Woodcock Johnson IV, a psychometrically robust test capable of formal diagnosis.

Family/Parenting - Psychology Services - Online Survey *

• Research has found links between family environment and criminal lifestyle. Arrests in family members constitute a major risk factor for poor developmental outcomes, including criminal behavior.
• Based on the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MMFF), the FAD-12 is a brief, stand-alone measure of family functioning with solid psychometric properties. The FAD-12 has been widely used in both research  and clinical practice. Higher scores indicate greater levels of family dysfunction.

Finance/Poverty - Unit Team - PSR

• Research has found links between family environment and criminal lifestyle. Arrests in family members constitute a major risk factor for poor developmental outcomes, including criminal behavior.
• Unit Team reviews the PSR (“Financial Condition” section) and determines if there documentation of any of the following: Any history of bankruptcy, No bank account, No assets nor liabilities noted in PSR, Debts  noted in credit report or other source, Tax liabilities/back taxes, Unpaid alimony/child support, Other indication of lack of financial management skills, If the answer to any of this conditions is YES, , the inmate has a  Finance/Poverty Need.

Medical - Health Services - Intake

• Research has found links between family environment and criminal lifestyle. Arrests in family members constitute a major risk factor for poor developmental outcomes, including criminal behavior.
• Intake History and Physical Examination.

Mental Health - Psychology Services - Intake

• Mental illness may indirectly lead to criminality. A serious mental illness may interfere with one’s ability to form prosocial relationships and achieve and maintain life stability.
• The PSIQ is administered to every inmate as they arrive at an institution. Psychology Services is responsible for reviewing the information, entering the information into the electronic medical record, and responding  to emergent responses, as appropriate.

Recreation/Leisure/Fitness - Health Services - Intake

• Low levels of involvement and satisfaction in prosocial activity can contribute to criminality.
• Chronic Care Clinic

Substance Abuse - Unit Team - PSR

• Problematic substance use associates with criminality. Individuals who use illicit substances are more likely to commit crimes; law-breaking behavior commonly involves individuals who used substances prior to crime  commission, or who were using at the time of the offense.
• Unit Management staff determine need in area of Substance Use by reviewing inmate’s history and offenses to determine if use and/or dealing in substances exists.

Trauma - Psychology Services - Intake

• Adverse childhood experiences were found to be associated with significant increases in a number of negative social, behavioral health, and physical health outcomes.
• Developed by Felitti and colleagues (1998), the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACES) includes 17 items that measure childhood exposure to trauma such as psychological, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect,  mental illness, domestic violence, divorce, and having a parent in prison.

Work - Education Department - PSR

• Low levels of involvement and satisfaction in work can impact engagement in criminal behavior.
• Education reviews the PSR and any other available official documents to determine if there is evidence the inmate been employed for at least one year in a legitimate job, does the inmate have any certifications or  credentials that would assist in obtaining a job, and if the answer is NO to either question, the inmate has a Work Need.