Reducing Recidivism Reducing the Rate and Use of Incarceration Reducing Recidivism Reducing the Rate and Use of Incarceration What Works and Best Practices

Implementing Effective Correctional Management

What Works in Corrections Not a single reviewer of studies on the effects of official punishment (e.g. custody, mandatory arrests, increased surveillance, etc.) has found consistent evidence of reduced recidivism Not a single reviewer of studies on the effects of official punishment (e.g. custody, mandatory arrests, increased surveillance, etc.) has found consistent evidence of reduced recidivism At least 40% (and up to 60%) of the studies of correctional treatment services reported reduced recidivism rates relative to various comparison conditions, in every published review At least 40% (and up to 60%) of the studies of correctional treatment services reported reduced recidivism rates relative to various comparison conditions, in every published review

Criminal Sanctions vs. Treatment Reduced Recidivism Increased Recidivism Andrews, D.A An Overview of Treatment Effectiveness. Research and Clinical Principles, Department of Psychology, Carleton University.

Behavioral vs. Non-Behavioral Reduced Recidivism Increased Recidivism Andrews, D.A An Overview of Treatment Effectiveness. Research and Clinical Principles, Department of Psychology, Carleton University.

Principles of Effective Intervention RISK – Who to targetRISK – Who to target NEED – What to targetNEED – What to target RESPONSIVITY– How to targetRESPONSIVITY– How to target

Principles of Effective Intervention Assess and identify higher risk offenders Assess and identify higher risk offenders Target higher risk offenders for more intensive treatment, services and supervision Target higher risk offenders for more intensive treatment, services and supervision Avoid including lower risk offenders in higher- end programs; it may increase their risk and failure rates Avoid including lower risk offenders in higher- end programs; it may increase their risk and failure rates

Major Risk/Need Factors 1. Antisocial/pro-criminal attitudes, values, beliefs and cognitive emotional states 2. Pro-criminal associates and isolation from anti-criminal others 3. Temperamental and personality factors including: –psychopathy –weak socialization –impulsivity/self control –restless/aggressive energy –egocentrism –below average verbal intelligence –weak problem-solving/self regulation skills –adventurous pleasure seeking

Major Risk/Need Factors 4. A history of anti-social behavior: –Evident from a young age –In a variety of settings –Involving a number and variety of anti-social acts 5. Family factors including criminality in the family of origin including: –Low levels of affection, caring and cohesiveness –Poor parental supervision and discipline practices –Neglect and abuse

Major Risk/Need Factors 6. Low levels of personal education, vocational or financial achievement 7. Little involvement in anti-criminal leisure and recreational pursuits 8. Substance abuse

Minor Risk/Need Factors Minor risk factors have some correlation with criminal conduct, but less correlation than major risk factors: –Lower intelligence –Personal distress Low self esteem Low self esteem Anxiety Anxiety Depression Depression –Psychopathology Major mental illness Major mental illness –Lower class origins –Biological anomalies Head injury Head injury Hormonal disturbance Hormonal disturbance –Fear of official punishment

Principles of Effective Intervention NEED PRINCIPLE NEED PRINCIPLE –Identify and target criminogenic needs: Attitudes, values, beliefs Attitudes, values, beliefs Peer associations Peer associations Personality Personality Education/employment Education/employment Family Family Substance abuse Substance abuse Leisure/recreation Leisure/recreation

Principles of Effective Intervention Individual studies and meta-analyses have indicated that targeting non-criminogenic needs can lead to: –No effect on recidivism –Increased recidivism

Principles of Effective Intervention RESPONSIVITY PRINCIPLE Specific responsivity Specific responsivity –Remove barriers to treatment –Match style and mode of service delivery to key offender characteristics General responsivity General responsivity –Use cognitive behavioral interventions

Responsivity Factors Internal Factors Internal Factors –Motivation –Personality characteristics (anxiety, psychopathy, self-esteem) –Cognitive deficiencies –Demographics (age, race, gender, ethnicity) –Strengths External Factors External Factors –Counselor characteristics –Settings Institutional Community –Type of treatment –Support network

Principles of Effective Intervention INEFFECTIVE APPROACHES Drug prevention classes focused on fear and other emotional appeals Shaming offenders Drug education programs Non-directive, client centered treatment approaches Bibliotherapy Talking cures Self-Help programs Vague unstructured rehabilitation programs Fostering self-regard (self-esteem) Punishing smarter (boot camps, scared straight, etc.)

Cognitive-Behavioral Model Anti-Criminal Modeling Anti-Criminal Modeling Effective Reinforcement Effective Reinforcement Effective Disapproval Effective Disapproval Problem Solving Techniques Problem Solving Techniques Structured Learning for Skill Building Structured Learning for Skill Building

Effective Use of Authority Focus message on behavior, not the personFocus message on behavior, not the person Staff are direct and specific concerning their demandsStaff are direct and specific concerning their demands Staff use their normal voicesStaff use their normal voices Staff specify choices with attendant consequencesStaff specify choices with attendant consequences Staff give encouraging messagesStaff give encouraging messages Staff support words with actionsStaff support words with actions

Effective Use of Authority (cont.) –Staff are firm but fair –Staff provide respectful guidance toward compliance –Staff are not just monitoring for non- compliance and introducing negative sanctions –Staff reward/praise compliance

Characteristics of Effective Correctional Programs Based of theory and researchBased of theory and research Have effective leadershipHave effective leadership Are implemented as designedAre implemented as designed Assess offendersAssess offenders Are based on effective treatment modelsAre based on effective treatment models Are based on cognitive behavioral approachesAre based on cognitive behavioral approaches

Characteristics of Effective Correctional Programs Have structured aftercareHave structured aftercare Deliver treatment and services consistentlyDeliver treatment and services consistently Have qualified staffHave qualified staff Evaluate what they doEvaluate what they do Have sufficient resources and supportHave sufficient resources and support