From evidence-informed to evidence-based: the Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Bonta ◽  
Guy Bourgon ◽  
Tanya Rugge
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Probation Officers ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Community Supervision ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Training Initiative ◽  
Rnr Model ◽  
Development Evaluation ◽  
Strategic Training ◽  
Offender Assessment

The Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model of offender assessment and rehabilitation is one of the mostly widely used paradigms for the design and delivery of offender treatment programs. However, there has been relatively little research on providing RNR-informed services by front-line correctional staff. The Strategic Training Initiative in Community Corrections (STICS) is the first RNR-based intervention that trains probation officers to use the RNR principles in the everyday supervision of offenders. This chapter describes the development, evaluation, and application of STICS in community supervision. Special attention is given to issues faced during large-scale implementation of the STICS model and the generalizability of the model. The chapter ends with a description of the influence of STICS on international developments in providing evidence-based community supervision.

An Experimental Demonstration of Training Probation Officers in Evidence-Based Community Supervision

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 1127-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Bonta ◽  
Guy Bourgon ◽  
Tanya Rugge ◽  
Terri-Lynne Scott ◽  
Annie K. Yessine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Probation Officers ◽  
Community Supervision ◽  
Offender Rehabilitation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Experimental Demonstration ◽  
Recidivism Rates ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Behavioral Techniques ◽  
Rnr Model ◽  
Risk Need Responsivity

The present study evaluated a training program for probation officers based on the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model of offender rehabilitation. A total of 80 officers were randomly assigned to either training or a no training condition. The probation officers then recruited 143 probationers and audiotaped their sessions at the beginning of supervision, 3 months later, and 6 months later. The audiotapes were coded with respect to the officers’ adherence to the RNR model. The experimental probation officers demonstrated significantly better adherence to the RNR principles, with more frequent use of cognitive-behavioral techniques to address the procriminal attitudes of their clients. Finally, the analysis of recidivism rates favored the clients of the trained officers. The findings suggest that training in the evidence-based principles of the RNR model can have an important impact on the behavior of probation officers and their clients.

Supervision face-to-face contacts: the emergence of an intervention

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Toronjo ◽  
Faye S. Taxman
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Effective Practices ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Community Supervision ◽  
Behavioral Management ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Level Change ◽  
Strategic Training ◽  
Offender Assessment

Face-to-face contacts are the cornerstone of community supervision. As community supervision in the United States and Canada emerges into a new behavioral management approach, new training curricula have emerged to conceptualize the techniques of supervision and develop the skill sets of officers. This chapter reviews five such curricula--Proactive Community Supervision (PCS) (Taxman, Shephardson, & Byrne, 2004; Taxman, 2008), Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS) (Bonta et al., 2011); Staff Training Aimed at Reducing Rearrest (STARR) (Robinson et al., 2012); Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) (Smith et al., 2012); and Skills for Offender Assessment and Responsivity in New Goals (SOARING2) (Maass, 2013). The comparison reveals similarities but major differences in an emphasis on the operational components for client-level change. The question remains as to which supervision intervention components are mechanisms facilitating client level change.

A conceptual replication of the Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS)

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Bonta ◽  
Tanya Rugge ◽  
Guy Bourgon ◽  
Kayla A. Wanamaker
Keyword(s):  
Community Supervision ◽  
Training Initiative ◽  
Strategic Training

A system-wide implementation and evaluation of the Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 101816
Author(s):  
James Bonta ◽  
Guy Bourgon ◽  
Tanya Rugge ◽  
Chloe I. Pedneault ◽  
Seung C. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Community Supervision ◽  
Training Initiative ◽  
Strategic Training

scholarly journals Effective psychological treatment of adult male sexual offenders

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Sexual Offenders ◽  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Recruitment Strategies

This paper describes psychological approaches to the treatment of sexual offenders. The empirically generated principles of effective treatment are outlined followed by the identification of the evidence-based issues that need to be addressed. The established important role of the therapists’ behaviors during treatment is then described along with the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and of tactics aimed at ensuring all entrants complete the program. Meta-analytic reports describing treatment efficacy are considered followed by an outline of the appraisal of the effectiveness of two large scale independent treatment programs. Finally, a brief description of a cost-benefit report indicates that when treatment of sexual offenders effectively reduces re-offense rates, it also saves a considerable amount of taxpayers’ money.

Sorting Through the Evidence: A Step Toward Prioritization of Evidence-Based Community Supervision Practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 009385482110364
Author(s):  
Brandy L. Blasko ◽  
Liana R. Taylor ◽  
Jill Viglione ◽  
Faye S. Taxman
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Treatment Compliance ◽  
Probation Officers ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Community Supervision ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Criminogenic Needs ◽  
Supervision Practices

Studies of implementation of evidence-based supervision policies and procedures often report minimal to moderate adherence to evidence-based models. The few studies that exist examine the degree to which characteristics of probation officers, individuals on supervision, and supervision processes have an impact on rearrest (outcomes). Using administrative data on 7,326 probationers and surveys from 161 probation officers employed by five agencies, hierarchical linear models were used to identify the features of supervision processes that are most important to reduce recidivism. The findings clarify that no one evidence-based supervision feature (i.e., a validated risk and need assessment tool, case planning, treatment, compliance management, etc.) can achieve recidivism reductions. The best results can be achieved by using all features, although a risk-based case management approach that prioritizes employment and/or reducing the criminogenic needs creates similar outcomes. This article discusses the implications of prioritizing which supervision processes are used to impact positive supervision outcomes.

scholarly journals The Risk-Need-Responsivity Model: How Do Probation Officers Implement the Principles of Effective Intervention?

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Viglione
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Probation Officers ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Rnr Model ◽  
Risk Need Responsivity ◽  
Supervision Practices

The advancement of evidence-based practices (EBP) and the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model suggests several key practices for probation agencies, including validated risk and needs assessments and appropriate treatment matching. Despite evidence supporting use of practices aligned with the RNR model to improve offender outcomes, research identifies significant implementation challenges in probation practice. Using 1,084 hours of ethnographic data, the current study sought to examine how probation staff implemented best practices aligned with the risk, need, and responsivity principles. Analyses suggest probation staff supervision practices misaligned with research evidence on RNR and associated agency trainings. Probation officers rarely used the risk and needs assessment to inform supervision decisions, creation of case plans, and referrals to treatment programs. Findings highlight the challenges associated with moving evidence on the RNR model to routine probation practice. Implications for policy and research are discussed, including a focus on perceived liability and implementation of best practices.

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