Appropriate assessment data can indicate the specific needs and services required by an individual to increase his or her odds of a successful return to the community from prison or jail. ^[1]   The quality, relevance, and effectiveness of the release strategy and case management plan depend on comprehensive and accurate information. Assessment instruments such as the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R) can effectively guide classification decisions by identifying risks such as drug and alcohol abuse and gang involvement that, if addressed adequately, will reduce offender recidivism. ^[2]   (See sidebar, "Sample Risk Assessment Instruments," in Policy Statement 8, Development of Intake Procedure, for further explanation of the LSI-R and selected other risk assessment instruments.) Therefore, instruments and protocols that can assess risk through the identification of criminogenic needs can determine the behaviors and issues that should be incorporated into the conditions of release.