1. The Evolution of Community Supervision: Research on Training and Implementing Evidence-Based Practices
Guy Bourgon, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Los Angles, CA
July 2015

2. The supervision officer as a foot soldier Like the soldier who has marched into the battlefield and, tired, weary, and burdened with the ever-changing orders from the generals, he must make crucial decisions all alone, the community supervision officer “follows” the orders of management and works tirelessly behind closed doors to promote change in clients characterized as antisocial, lacking motivation or in downright denial, resistant, defensive, aggressive, and criminal.

3. Community Supervision & Safety
What does the research tell us about reducing reoffending?

4. Community Supervision Effectiveness? Meta-Analytic Findings
Outcome Φ k N
General Recidivism
.02 26
53,930
Violent Recidivism
.00 8
28,523
Bonta et al. (2008)
k = number of effect sizes
Minimal impact on recidivism

5. Risk – Need – Responsivity Model of Effective Corrections
However…
Risk – Need – Responsivity Model of Effective Corrections

6. Three Principles of Effective Correctional Intervention
1. Risk Principle
Intervention intensity is proportional to risk levels; higher risk = more time, energy and resources.
2. Need Principle
Target the criminogenic needs of moderate and high risk offenders (i.e., the dynamic risk factors that, when changed, will change the probability of an offender’s recidivism).
3. Responsivity Principle
Create an optimal learning environment by: General: Utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques.
Specific: Matched to the individual abilities, learning style, culture and personality, create an environment via the skills, language, and activities that enhance client engagement and facilitates learning. 6

7. Adherence to RNR Principles Treatment Effect Sizes
Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2010). The psychology of criminal conduct (5th ed.). New Providence, NJ: LexisNexis Matthew Bender. (page 367).
Dowden, C. & Andrews, D.A. (2000). Effective correctional treatment and violent reoffending: A meta-analysis. Canadian Journal of Criminology
Dowden, C. & Andrews, D.A. (2003). Does family interventions work for delinquents? Results of a meta-analysis. Canadian Journal of Criminology & Criminal Justice
Dowden, C. & Andrews, D.A. (1999). What works for female offenders: A meta-analytic review. Crime & Delinquency, 45,
Hanson, R.K., Bourgon, G., Helmus, L. & Hodgson, S (2009). The principles of effective correctional treatment also apply to sex offenders: a meta-analysis. Criminal Justice & Behavior, 36, (Sexual recidivism).
Gutierrez, L. & Bourgon, G. (2012). Drug Treatment Courts: A quantitative review of study and treatment quality. Justice Research and Policy. 14,
Unpublished. Data from Bonta, J., Rugge, T., Scott, T., Bourgon, G., & Yessine, A. (2008). Exploring the black box of community supervision. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 47,

8. What about the RNR principles? Does adherence make a difference?
Community Supervision policies adherence with Risk-Need-Responsivity
RNR Adherence Φ k N
RNR = 0
.017 7
47,885
RNR = 1
-.009 12
2,716
RNR = 2
.078 5
2,415
RNR = 3
.092 2
914
RNR:
Trends congruent with past literature are noticed in the results. Generally, as adherence to the RNR principles increased in the studies included in the Bonta and colleagues meta-analysis, the odds ratios decreased in magnitude (indicating more effective treatment).
For example, studies adhering to none of the RNR principles demonstrated the weakest treatment effect (OR = .88), while the odds ratio taken from studies adhering to all three RNR principles (.67) demonstrates the strongest treatment effect.
A significant linear trend exists between adherence to the RNR principles and treatment effectiveness. In other words, this trend indicates that when adherence to the RNR principles increases, a corresponding decrease in recidivism is observed (t = 2.997, p < .01)
It should be noted that the confidence intervals of the odds ratios belonging to the “zero RNR principles adhered to” are slightly over-lapping with the confidence intervals of the “three RNR principles adhered to” prohibiting any definitive conclusions regarding differences. However, only two of the 26 effect sizes were taken from studies that adhered to all three of the RNR principles.
Increase in RNR adherence = Decrease in recidivism

9. It “Works” But… Demands of RNR are high…
Assessment
Criminal risk factors and needs (changeable)
Strengths and learning styles (responsivity)
Services that target appropriate needs
Requires appropriate intensity and targets
Commitment to reduce re-offending
Services are tailored for “offenders” learning styles
Use cognitive-behavioural social learning strategies
Officers use EBP skills and techniques
Optimal learning environment = respect and collaboration

10. How tough? Tough enough for formal treatment programs…
Adherence to principle
% of studies
Risk
75%
Need
45%
Responsivity
21%
All 3 Principles
16%

11. Can we improve the work done “behind closed doors”
to more effectively reduce reoffending?
Implementing “Evidence-Based Practices”

12. Evidence Based Practices
New initiatives….
Core Correctional Practices and the new training initiatives of STICS, STARR, EPICS & PCS…
Each of these emphasizes a change in work…
Evidence Based Practices =
CHANGE AGENT APPROACH

13. Evidence of EBP Community Supervision Training Efforts: Approximately 11% difference in recidivism
Source: Chadwick, N., Smeth, A.H. & Serin, R.C. (in press). Effectively training community supervision officers:
A meta-analytic review of the impact on offender outcome. Criminal Justice and Behavior.

14. Lessons of Implementing…
EBP requires continuous education!
At every level
Continuous education critical!
???
Invest in your leaders!
Quality over Speed
Demands change in Individuals & Organization!
Vision, goals, roles, policies, practices & behavior

15. Implementation Lesson 1
Continuous Education

16. Control vs. Low Support vs
Control vs. Low Support vs. High Support Skills in Sessions > 9 months post-training
Anova shows
Structrure F,2,39) = 3.081; p = .057; Sig diff for High vs. Contl
Relationships F (2,39)=1.014 p = .372; ns
BEHTECH F(2,39)=1.634; p=.208; ns
COGTECH F92,39)=14.909; p=.000; signif diff all: contl vs. Low vs High.
STICSTOT F(2,39) = 4.710; p=.015; sign diff contl & low vs. high; contl = low.

17. Control vs. Low Support vs
Control vs. Low Support vs. High Support Cox Regression (control age & LSI-R criminal history)
Low Support:
Exp(B) = .864
95%CI =
Δ -4%
Hi Support:
Exp(B) = .500
95%CI =
Δ -19%
Control n=43
Low Support n = 59
High Support n = 41
Exp(B) = .864 for Low (~4% difference)
and .500 for High (~18.8% difference)
2 Year Unadjusted Recidivism
Control = 40.5%
STICS Low Supt = 27.7%
STICS High Supt = 21.4%

18. Implementation Lesson 2
Invest in Leaders

19. “Expertise” is the critical
Do not have sufficient Initial “Expertise”
Developing it takes time!
Trainers
Coaches
Officers
Expertise

20. Skill levels of Coach vs Officer

21. Skill levels of Coach vs Officer

22. Skill levels of Coach vs Officer

23. Responsivity Principle…
Implementing EBP requires creating an environment that facilitates change, supports it, and helps sustain it… Sound familiar???
Responsivity Principle…

24. Implementation Lesson 3
Change Takes Time

25. Change over time: How officers work.

26. Implementation Lesson 3 Organizational Change

27. The Vision… Community Supervision’s Identity Crisis…

28. Probation Officers?

29. Or Probation Officer?

30. Probation Work?

31. Or probation work?

32. Other Organizational Challenges
Implementation Integrity
Policy/Procedure/Staff “Conflicts” with EBP
(what are the existing barriers? What can change?)
Quality assurance/evaluate uptake
Create & Resource “Structures”
HR plans, workloads, logistics, etc.
Build Capacity & Sustainability
Everything new so NO existing “expertise”
Capacity to develop new staff, coaches, trainers etc.

33. 350 Officers and 3 years later
Where are we now?

34. Full scale vs. original pilot
% of Time During Session Topic Discussed

35. Full scale vs. original pilot
% of Sessions in which Attitudes (cognitions) Discussed
% of Sessions in which Cognitive Techniques were used
STICS: Focus on Attitudes & Use Cognitive Techniques

36. “Change Agent” Skills: Skills and intervention techniques used by PO
Uptake looking positive so far…

37. Going Forward… Research and evaluation efforts continue
What factors enhance officer skill and use?
Link key skills/techniques to reoffending?
What to do with newly hired staff?
Training Model…new sustainability approach
18 month training with 4 separate courses
Utilize existing resources & structures
Rely on and build more internal capacity/expertise

38. Although there are many hurdles to quality implementation, both at an organizational and an individual level, these barriers can be overcome. For each individual officer who faces the prospect of change, it is a daunting task. Organizations and trainers can provide the opportunities and supports, but ultimately, when the door closes and the officer and client meet face-to-face, the officer must decide what he or she will do with the time allotted to their clients. Like the lonely foot soldier, laden with a heavy burden alone in the trenches, officers must draw upon their own resources and decide for themselves whether to march forward or stay where they are. The power to choose is theirs.

39. Available on the Public Safety Canada Website
Further Information
Available on the Public Safety Canada Website
Contact
340 Laurier Ave West
Ottawa, ON Canada
K1A 0P8