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Examining Improvements in Criminogenic Needs: The Risk Reduction Potential of a Structured Re‐entry Program
Author(s) -
Brooks Holliday Stephanie,
Heilbrun Kirk,
Fretz Ralph
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/bsl.2016
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , psychology , applied psychology , risk management , human factors and ergonomics , risk assessment , poison control , suicide prevention , needs assessment , risk analysis (engineering) , medicine , computer science , computer security , environmental health , psychiatry , business , social science , finance , sociology
The risk–need–responsivity (RNR) model describes the importance of targeting criminogenic needs through planned interventions in order to reduce the risk of future offending behavior. Although risk/needs instruments capture these dynamic risk factors and previous research has demonstrated their sensitivity to change in these domains, correctional programs may not be leveraging the full case management potential of these instruments. This study explored the potential for improvements in criminogenic needs through participation in a brief, structured re‐entry program consistent with the principles of RNR. Four criminogenic needs were identified as having the potential to change during the course of this program: education/employment, family/marital, procriminal attitudes/orientation, and antisocial pattern. The results indicated that overall risk level significantly decreased during the course of the treatment program, as did risk level for each of these criminogenic needs. For three of these domains, the participants in the highest risk category experienced significant improvements, consistent with the risk principle of RNR. Implications for the interface between assessment and treatment planning are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.