CSO Certification Review Questions with Correct Answers

CSOCertificationReviewQuestions with v v v v




Correct Answers 2025/2026 v v v




4 purposes for introduction - CORRECT ANSWER -1) State the purpose of the interview
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2) Set expectations v




3) Clarify roles v




4) Explain confidentiality v




(TRAS is a semi structured interview and allows you to ask additional questions)
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Risk principle - CORRECT ANSWER -Supervision and treatment resources should be prioritized for
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probationers at higher risk to reoffend.
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- Treatmenteffectsare strongestonhighrisk. v v v v v v




- Treatmenteffectscan be effectivelyharmfulforlowrisk. v v v v v v v v




- Low risk probationers often self correct.
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- Offense type is not predictive of risk. v v v v v v




- Risk does not determine how dangerous a probationer is.
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Action - CORRECT ANSWER -The individual begins their plan. This is a very difficult stage because the
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comfort of past habits while developing new ones.
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TRAS screeners - CORRECT ANSWER -Misdemeanor tool - 6 items Felony
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v tool - 7 items
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Screeners are used to filter out "low risk" probationers. Not v v v v v v v v v




v all departments use screeners.
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Scoring guide - CORRECT ANSWER -- Must be followed when scoring items.
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,- Follow as directed.
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- Do not override scoring guide.
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- Cannot be modified. v v




Problem components - CORRECT ANSWER -- Where client scored highest on TRAS.
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- Work on primary risk factors first.
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- Criminogenictargets: reduce risk v v v




- Non-criminogenic targets: reduce barriers but not risk. v v v v v v




Responsivity tools - CORRECT ANSWER -- 17 items v v v v v v v




- Filled out by probationer.
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- Used to obtain information about probationer.
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- Not required but recommended by trailers to increase likely hood of success on probation.
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Barriers to listening - CORRECT ANSWER -1) Internal/external distractions
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2) Anticipating responses v




3) Interrupting

4) Assuming meaning v




5) Imposing stereotypes v




Responsivity issues - CORRECT ANSWER -- Mental health v v v v v v v




- Medication

- Reading/writing

- Cultural barriers v




- History of abuse v v




- Childcare

,- Low intelligence
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Primary risk factors - CORRECT ANSWER --Antisocial attitudes
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- Antisocial peers v




- Antisocial personality v




- History of antisocial behaviorsv v v




*exist on their own, independent of other factors*
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9 tips for effective listening - CORRECT ANSWER -1) Maintain eye contact
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2) Minimize internal/external distractions v v




3) Respond appropriately v




4) Focus on what is said v v v v




5) Ask clarifying questions
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6) Keep an open mind v v v




7) Engage in the interview v v v




8) Let probationer complete his/her thoughts
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9) Take notes v




6 factors of case planning - CORRECT ANSWER -1) TRAS results
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2) Prioritizetargetsfor change v v v




3) Develop goals/objectives based on highest criminogenic needs and domains
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4) Remove barriers by addressing responsivity issues.
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5) Track on going progress
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6) Reassess using TRAS to determine if progress has been made and if any new areas of concern arise.
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, Antisocial attitudes - CORRECT ANSWER -- Crime is a way of life/distrust of authority/thinking drives
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behavior.
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- Research indicates it is the #1 risk factor.
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- What probationers think NOT how they think.
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- Antisocial/ pro-criminalvalues, beliefs, cognitive emotionalstate.
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Responding during assessment interview - CORRECT ANSWER -1) Restate
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2) Reflect

3) Summarize

*These skills help by:
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- Compels the client to continue. v v v v




- Puts the focus on the client
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- Broadens the conversation v v




- More likely to result in an honest response
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- Increases rapport building and information gathering
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Importance of case planning - CORRECT ANSWER -- Provides structured approach to case
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management
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- Documents intervention and progress v v v




- Providesprobationer with concrete expectations
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- Guides decision making
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- Helps maintain focus on criminogenic needs
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By working on criminogenic needs you better reduce the probationers risk to re-offend.
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Maintenance - CORRECT ANSWER -New habits have been established but old habits are still
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tempting in crisis lapse's to old habits may occur.
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