NCJ Number
242585
Date Published
2012
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the principles that underlie effective correctional programs and discusses how these principles translate into practice.
Abstract
Over the years, there has been considerable research that supports the risk, need, and responsivity (RNR) principles proposed by Andrews, Bonta, and Gendreau. Focusing resources on high-risk offenders improves the cost-effectiveness of corrections because it means targeting those offenders who are most likely to reoffend. Including low-risk offenders in intensive interventions, on the other hand, expends resources on persons less likely to reoffend. In some cases, including low-risk offenders in intensive treatment with high-risk offenders may even increase their risk for reoffending. The "need" principle involves identifying the specific needs of high-risk offenders that are related to or underlie each offender's criminal behaviors. This ensures that correctional resources are more likely to change the behaviors related to the crime for which the offender was convicted. Regarding "responsivity" correctional programs must be modeled after program content and delivery that has proven effective in addressing the criminogenic needs identified in high-risk offenders. Behavioral programming has shown the strongest effects across a wide range of programs and settings. This paper reviews some evidence-based programs and methods proven effective in addressing various criminogenic needs of high-risk offenders. Results from three large-scale studies are reviewed to show that the more criminogenic needs targeted by a program, the greater the reduction in recidivism rates. On the other hand, programs that targeted an insufficient number of criminogenic needs showed only a slight decrease in failure rates. 17 figures and 15 references