Introduction The Global Centre for Evidence-based Corrections and Sentencing James Byrne, Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Director, Global Centre for Evidence-based Corrections and Sentencing (GCECS) at Griffith University

 Griffith University’s New Global Centre for Evidence-based Corrections and Sentencing  (1) High Quality Corrections and Sentencing Research Agenda – the Centre will develop research projects focusing on evaluating the impact of current corrections and sentencing strategies (adult/juvenile) in Queensland, throughout Australia, and internationally.  (2) Knowledge Exchange Seminars and Systematic, Evidence-based Policy Reviews – to translate research into practice, the Centre will develop a series of executive session seminars and workshops highlighting corrections and sentencing issues in each global region.  (3) Global Evidence-based Corrections and Sentencing Network Development – through the Centre’s state of art website – will become a global clearinghouse for high quality, evidence-based corrections research, and a primary source of information on global corrections/sentencing performance, and innovative corrections and sentencing policies and practices.

An Expanded Definition of Evidence  Evidence-based reviews traditionally focus on evaluation research studies, focusing either on gold standard( RCT only) or bronze standard reviews--experimental and quasi-exp. Studies (level 3 up, with support from level 1,2)  The GCECS model for conducting evidence-based reviews broadens the scope of inquiry to include personal narratives, life-course and desistance research, and research on the community context of change.

 Key Dimensions of Community:  Community Attitudes: toward crime, police, courts, corrections, and offenders; Neighbourhood-level  Community Tolerance: community values, collective efficacy  Community Structure: age composition, employment, housing stock, residential/commercial mix, crime rate  Community Support/ Resources: availability/quality of treatment for drug and alcohol problems, skills training, housing support, education, jobs New Focus on the Community Context of Desistance

 The client in corrections is not just the offender under correctional control; it is also the public  However, the public is not the general public.  It is the residents of high risk communities where most offenders reside before and after they become involved in the corrections system.  We need to measure the success of corrections both in terms of individual offender change and in targeted community change. Redefining the Target for Change

Emerging Trends and New Directions  Offender change is possible, but not probable, without community change.  Recognition of the limitations of individual level change strategies. We can not expect to change offenders unless we also change the communities where offenders reside.  Research Need  What would a treatment-oriented prison and community corrections system look like?  What is the optimal skill set for workers involved at both individual and community level?  What new classification and treatment technology will be needed?

Resistance to Lifestyle Change by Individual Offenders may be affected by Community Level Influences operating in High Risk Communities  Moral Cynicism among residents  Increased Opportunities for crime and deviance  Increased Motivation to deviate  Diminished Social Control

Targeting and Changing High Risk Locations  Recent research highlights the impact of community risk level on individual offender recidivism.  Based on this research, new strategies are being developed targeting not only high risk offenders but also high risk communities.  Unfortunately, we currently appear to know little about the impact of various community change strategies.

 Conduct research that examines the community context of adult and juvenile corrections and sentencing  Develop evidence-based policy and practice initiatives that emphasize the need for both individual and community change  Move from individual level to community level engagement strategies The Challenge for GCECS