Over the past several decades, offender classification systems have been used for a variety of organizational purposes. Over time, these classification systems have evolved, not only as a whole within the criminal justice system, but also among different organizations. Classification systems that create models based on offenders' risks and needs are the most popular. Over the years, these models and the purposes for their use have evolved, as has the way in which their effectiveness is evaluated. One of the most commonly used classification systems for offenders is the combination of risk assessment and needs assessment. The combination of these two classification systems is rather new. Early types of classification focused primarily on offender risk using custody classification and separating inmates into minimum, medium, and maximum security categories (Van Voorhis et al., 2009). Early risk assessments seemed to focus only on historical factors that did not tend to change over time. An addition to the classification was introduced with the original needs assessment system. The needs assessment aimed to offer treatment-relevant information (Van Voorhis et al., 2009). Unfortunately, needs assessments have rarely been used to locate treatment. The introduction of models combining the two assessments was essential as it opened up the assessments to the idea that factors change over time and influence offenders. The first risk assessment models using actual scoring were created almost exclusively for use while offenders were incarcerated. However, Andrews and Bonta (2010) consider it to be the second generation. The first generation of risk assessment occurred at a time...... middle of paper...... psychology of criminal conduct. Cincinnati, OH: Lexis/Nexis, Ch 10 and 11. Bonta, J. (1996). Risk, needs, assessment and treatment. In A. Harland (ed.), Choosing Effective Correctional Options: Defining Demand and Assessing Supply. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Goldstein, A., Glick, B., & Gibbs, J. (2011). Aggression replacement training: A comprehensive intervention for aggressive youth (rev. ed.). Champaign, IL: ResearchPress. Van Voorhis, P., Braswell, M. and Lester, D. (2009). Corrections Counseling and Rehabilitation, 7th ed., Cincinnati, OH: Lexis/Nexis. Van Voorhis, P., Salisbury, E., Wright, E. and Bauman, A. (2008). Obtaining an accurate picture of risk and identifying gender-sensitive needs: two new assessments for female offenders. Washington, DC: United States Department of Justice: National Institute of Corrections.