NCJ Number
195454
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2002 Pages: 31-35
Date Published
2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the impact of the use of the risk principle and the need principle in correctional intervention to reduce criminal recidivism of female offenders in Canada.
Abstract
Canadian law mandates distinctive programming for women offenders without having any consensus on where to go for the information needed to implement the law. Marital/family problems had a correlation of -.10 to +.51 to recidivism. Antisocial associates were an important dynamic factor for 20 percent of the women inmates assessed, with correlations between +.11 and +.45 to criminal recidivism. Community functioning was found to have a predictive correlation value varying greatly from -.03 to +.41 for recidivism. Thirty eight percent of Federal women offenders were found to have significant personal/emotional needs, though these were not determined to constitute a criminogenic need. However, while there is no risk-based measure that has been developed specifically for women offenders, the need principle is applicable to women offenders' criminogenic needs, such as self-harming behaviors or self-esteem problems, which are additional to that of the standard male model. The conclusion of this report is that case-based principles of risk and need contribute to the provision of effective services for women. 12 Notes