Many evidence-based generalized risk/needs assessments, including the Level of Case Management Inventory (LSCMI), contain employment related information, though these assessments are not primarily designed to predict employment outcomes; rather, they are designed to predict overall risk, including the potential (generalized) offenders will re-offend. At present, I am not aware of an evidence-based offender employment assessment designed to predict employment outcomes.
Though, this may soon change, as the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is currently conducting a study to assess the validity of their Employment Retention Inventory (ERI), which is designed to predict employment retention among offenders. While the results of this study have yet to be published, the ERI appears to have been created using well established front-end analysis, since questions on the ERI focus on offender perceptions and behavior. Evidence-based research clearly shows us that much of what causes offender unemployment is related to anti-social thinking and behavior. I will add ERI updates to this blog as more information becomes available.