Transcript Eight Evidence-Based Principles for Effective Interventions

EIGHT EVIDENCE-BASED
PRINCIPLES FOR EFFECTIVE
OFFENDER INTERVENTION
Acknowledgements
This presentation draws on information provided by
“Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Community
Corrections: The Principles of Effective Intervention”
published by the National Institute of Corrections,
Community Corrections Division, U.S. Department of
Justice. April 2004.
With additional information provided by “Principles of
Effective Offender Intervention” from the Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections Office of Planning,
Research, Statistics & Grants. February 2007.
Principles of Effective Offender
Intervention –What They Are
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Findings from hundreds of studies and metaanalyses of criminal justice interventions indicate
that good programs - those that reduce recidivism
have common features.
These common features can be summarized as
“Principles of Effective Offender Intervention”.
Clarifying Terms
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The terms best practices, what works, and evidence-based
practice (EBP) are often used interchangeably.
However, subtle distinctions exist between these terms:
For example, best practices are often based on the
collective experience of the field rather than
scientifically tested knowledge, and do not imply
attention to outcomes, evidence or measurable
standards.
What works implies linkage to general outcomes, but
does not specify the kind of outcomes desired (e.g. just
desserts, deterrence, rehabilitation, etc.).
Clarifying Terms (continued)
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Evidence-based practice implies the following:
There is a definable outcome(s).
It is measurable.
It is defined according to practical realities
(recidivism, victim satisfaction, etc.).
Consequently, EBP is more appropriate for outcome
focused human service disciplines.
OVERVIEW
Assess Actuarial Risk/Needs
Enhance Intrinsic Motivation
Target Intervention
1.
2.
3.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Risk Principle
Need Principle
Responsivity Principle
Dosage
Treatment Principle
Skill Train with Directed Practice
Increase Positive Reinforcement
Engage Ongoing Support in Natural Communities
Measure Relevant Processes/Practices
Provide Measurement Feedback
1. Assess Actuarial Risk/Needs
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Develop and maintain a complete system of
ongoing offender risk screening / triage and needs
assessment.
Screening and assessment tools that focus on
dynamic and static risk factors, profile criminogenic
needs, and have been validated on similar
populations are preferred.
Why Assess?
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Offender treatment programs that conduct
thorough, rigorous and objective assessment of
offenders and use the assessment information to
inform treatment planning decisions have been
proven to have much better outcomes than
programs that do not engage in such assessment.
Assessment maximizes treatment resources (staff,
money, time) by targeting them where they will
produce the best outcomes, rather than wasting
them on offenders who will derive little benefit.
Level of Service Inventory--Revised
(LSI--R).
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The LSI--R can be thought of as something like a
medical triage decision making tool ––it provides
insight into which offenders should receive the
highest priority for treatment, regardless of their
specific problem areas.
The 54 items are grouped into ten domains that
represent key criminogenic risk factors.
LSI--R Domains (number of items in
each domain in parentheses)
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Criminal History (10)
Education/Employment (10)
Financial (2)
Family/Marital (4)
Accommodation (3)
Leisure/Recreation (2)
Companions (5)
Alcohol/Drug Problems (9)
Emotional/Personal (5)
Attitudes/Orientation (4)
2. Enhance Intrinsic Motivation
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Staff should relate to offenders in interpersonally
sensitive and constructive ways to enhance intrinsic
motivation in offenders.
Research strongly suggests that motivational
interviewing techniques, rather than persuasion
tactics, effectively enhance motivation for initiating
and maintaining behavior changes.
3. Target Interventions
A. Risk Principle
B. Need Principle
C. Responsivity Principle
D. Dosage
E. Treatment Principle
a) Risk Principle
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Prioritize primary supervision and treatment resources
for offenders who are at higher risk to re-offend.
Research shows that resources that are focused on lowrisk offenders tend to produce little net positive effect
on recidivism rates.
Research shows that resources that are focused on lowrisk offenders tend to produce little net positive effect
on recidivism rates.
Risk Level and Treatment Outcomes
Level of Treatment
Study
Risk Level
Minimal
Intensive
O'Donnell et al
Low
16%
22%
(1971)
High
78%
56%
Baird et al
Low
3%
10%
(1979)
High
37%
18%
Andrews &
Low
12%
17%
Kiessling (1980)
High
58%
31%
Bonta et al
Low
15%
32%
(2000)
High
51%
32%
D.A. Andrews and James Bonta. 2003. The Psychology of Criminal
Conduct (3rd ed.). Cincinnati: Anderson Publishing. p. 260.
b) Criminogenic Need Principle
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Address offenders’ greatest criminogenic needs.
These criminogenic needs are dynamic risk factors,
that when addressed, affect the offender’s risk for
recidivism.
Examples of criminogenic needs are: criminal
personality; antisocial attitudes; values, and beliefs;
low self control; criminal peers; substance abuse; and
dysfunctional family.
Criminogenic Needs
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Anti-social attitudes, beliefs, values:
Rationalization ––“everybody does it, so what’s the problem”, “I
have the right to do what I want”.
Minimization ––“nobody got hurt, so it’s OK”, “they got “insurance”.
Denial of responsibility ––“I was framed”, “I’ve already been
“punished enough”.
Criminal thinking ––“I’m too smart to get caught”.
Anti-social associates – “well, you see, my buddy knew this guy…”.
Low levels of educational/vocational achievement.
Poor self-control/self-regulation – “I got frustrated with my PO, so I
said to hell with it.
Substance abuse.
c) Responsivity Principle
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There are important interactions between the
learning and personality style of the offender and
their setting or situation.
Therapist’s skills should be matched with
appropriate program type.
Offender’s strength and limitations should be
considered in program plans- for example, an
offender with limited literacy may not be
appropriate for a program requiring extensive
reading or journaling.
d) Dosage
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Providing appropriate doses of services, pro-social
structure, and supervision is a strategic application
of resources.
During the initial three to nine months post-release,
higher risk offenders require that 40%-70% of
their free time be clearly occupied with delineated
routine and services (e.g., outpatient treatment,
employment assistance, education, etc.).
e) Treatment Principle
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Treatment, particularly cognitive-based behavioral
types, should be applied as an integral part of the
sentence/sanction process. Targeted and timely
treatment interventions will provide the greatest
long-term benefit to the community, the victim, and
the offender.
Targeted and timely treatment interventions will
provide the greatest long-term benefit to the
community, the victim, and the offender.
The Cognitive-Behavioral Approach
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Changing thinking is the first step towards changing
behavior; offenders behave like criminal because
they think like criminals.
Effective programs attempt to alter an offender’s
cognitions, values, attitudes and expectations that
maintain anti-social behavior.
Emphasis on problem solving, decision making,
reasoning, self-control and behavior modification,
through role playing, graduated practice and
behavioral rehearsal.
4. Skill Train with Directed Practice
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Prioritize, plan, and budget for evidence-based
programming that emphasizes cognitive-behavioral
strategies and is delivered by well trained staff.
Skills are not just taught to the offender, but are
practiced or role-played and the resulting prosocial attitudes and behaviors are positively
reinforced by staff.
5. Increase Positive Reinforcement
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When learning new skills and making behavioral
changes, human beings appear to respond better
and maintain learned behaviors for longer periods
of time, when approached with carrots rather than
sticks.
Research indicates that a ratio of four positive to
every one negative reinforcement is optimal for
promoting behavior changes.
6. Engage Ongoing Support
in Natural Communities
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Realign and actively engage pro-social supports for
offenders in their communities.
Research indicates that many successful interventions
with extreme populations (e.g., inner city substance
abusers, homeless, etc.) actively recruit and use
family members, spouses, and supportive others in
the offender’s immediate environment to positively
reinforce desired new behaviors.
[Community Reinforcement Approach]
7. Measure Relevant
Processes/Practices
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Accurate and detailed documentation of case
information, along with a formal and valid
mechanism for measuring outcomes, is the
foundation of evidence-based practice. Agencies
must routinely evaluate offender recidivism if
services are to remain effective.
Staff performance should also be regularly
addressed.
8. Provide Measurement Feedback
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Once a method for measuring relevant
processes/practices is in place, the information must
be used to monitor process and change. Providing
feedback to offenders regarding their progress
builds accountability and is associated with
enhanced motivation for change and improved
outcomes.
The agency should also conduct regular
performance audits and case reviews with an eye
toward improved outcomes.
What doesn’t work! - Famous programs based
on flawed theories/models
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Scared Straight – deterrence theory; “make them fear
prison.”
Nearly every study over the past 25 years has found dismal results, many even
showing higher recidivism rates for Scared Straight participants. Has been
characterized as criminal justice malpractice.
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Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) – didactic model;
“kids don’t know drugs are bad for them.”
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Most studies have found neutral effects for DARE. More recent versions of DARE,
based upon cognitive-behavioral principles, have been more promising
Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s (Maricopa County Jail, Arizona) Tent
Cities and Chain Gangs – more deterrence theory; “make
them hate prison.”
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By the jail’s own admission, its recidivism rate exceeds 60 percent.