Principles of Effective Interventions

*Materials contained in this training were provided by the University of

Cincinnati, Corrections Institute (UCCI)www.uc.edu/crinimaljustice

http://www.uc.edu/crinimaljustice

There are different forms of evidence:

● The lowest form is anecdotal evidence; stories, opinions, testimonials, case studies, etc. - but it often makes us feel good

● The highest form is empirical evidence –research, data, results from controlled studies, etc. - but sometimes it doesn‘t make us feel good

“Evidence-Based”--What Does it Mean?

Easier to think of as “evidence-based decision making”

Involves several steps and encourages the use of validated tools and treatments

Not just about the tools you have but also how you use them

Evidence-based Strategies

● The term “what works” means evidence exists that the program or intervention is effective in reducing recidivism.

● Effectiveness is demonstrated through empirical research – not stories, anecdotes, common sense, or personal beliefs about effectiveness

● Without some form of human intervention or services, there is unlikely to be much effect on recidivism from punishment alone.

Research Conclusions

Correctional services and interventions can be effective in reducing recidivism; however, not all programs are equally effective…

The most effective programs are based on principles of effective intervention:

1. Risk (Who)

2. Need (What)

3. Responsivity (How)

4. Fidelity (How Well)

Research Conclusions

• Supported by lots (and lots) of research

• Tells us WHO to target

• Two (2) types of risk factors

Static

Dynamic

Risk Principle

I. Supervision and treatment should match risk level of client

II. Target higher risk client with the most intensive interventions

Violating this principle can lead to increased rates of recidivism for lower

risk participants

Risk Principle

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Lowenkamp, C.T. & Latessa, EJ. 2004. "Understanding the Risk Principle: How and Why Correctional Interventions can Harm Low-Risk Offenders" Topics in Community Corrections - 2004, pp. 3-8.

Risk Principle

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Risk Principle

I. Tells us WHAT to target

II. Target criminogenic needs

III.Avoid correctional quackery

Need Principle

Criminogenic Needs

• Pro-Criminal Attitudes• Anti-Social Personality• Anti-Social Peer

Associations

• Substance abuse• Family• Education/employment• Leisure time

Non-Criminogenic Needs

• Stress/anxiety• Low Self-esteem• Discipline• Creative Abilities• Cohesiveness of social

group• Vague emotional problems• Physical condition• Trauma• Medical/Mental Health

Needs• Understanding one’s

culture/history

Need Principle

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Target 1- 3 more criminogenic needs Target at least 4-6 more criminogenic needs

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Source: Gendreau, P., French, S.A., and A.Taylor (2002). What Works (What Doesn’t Work) Revised 2002. Invited Submission to the International Community Corrections Association Monograph Series Project

Need Principle

Chart1

Target 1- 3 more criminogenic needs

Target at least 4-6 more criminogenic needs

Reduction

Change In Recidivism Rates

-0.05

31

Sheet1

Target 1- 3 more criminogenic needsTarget at least 4-6 more criminogenic needs

Reduction-0.0531

Responsivity:• Refers to learning style and

characteristics of the client, which can affect their engagement in the program

• Tells us HOW to target criminogenic needs

• Cognitive/behavioral/social learning models are most effective

• People learn differently• Each client will have individual barriers

to services

Responsivity Principle

The most effective interventions are behavioral:

• They focus on current factors that influence behavior

• They are action-oriented• They reinforce prosocial behavior• They include cognitive restructuring• They include skill development with relatable

examples• They include approaches that train family on

appropriate techniques

Responsivity Principle

*Most Important Responsivity Factors:

• Motivation to change• Cognitive functioning / IQ• Education level• Gender• Race and Ethnicity• Personality• Mental health

Responsivity Principle

Reduced Recidivism

Andrews, D.A. 1994. An Overview of Treatment Effectiveness. Research and Clinical Principles, Department of Psychology, Carleton University. The N refers to the number of studies.

Responsivity Principle

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Nonbehavioral (N=83) Behavioral (N=41)

I. Refers to HOW WELL the program adheres to the principles

II. Refers to HOW WELL the program does what it is designed to do

Fidelity Principle

Reliability/ree-ly-uh-bil-i-tee/To be able to produce good

results time after time

Source: Outcome Evaluation of Washington State's Research-Based Programs for Juvenile Offenders. January 2004. Washington State Institute for Public Policy.

Functional Family Therapy Aggression Replacement Therapy

0

10

20

30

40

-10

-20Competently Delivered 38 24

Not Competent -16.7 -10.4

Reduced Recidivism

Increased Recidivism

Aggression Replacement Training

Fidelity Principle

Risk Need Responsivity

Andrews, 2006. Enhancing adherence to risk-need-responsivity: Making quality a matter of policy. Criminology and Public Policy, 5, 595-602.

Adherence to RNR

Chart1

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Yes

No

Change In Recidivism Rates

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Yes101923

No3-14

Adherence to RNR

Chart1

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Yes

Change In Recidivism Rates

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Key Principles:

• Thinking affects behavior

• Antisocial, distorted, unproductive, irrational thinking = antisocial, unproductive behavior

• Thinking can be influenced and changed

• We can change how we feel and behave by changing what we think

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)

Most effective form of programming for moderate and high risk client

Addresses:

Antisocial thinking patterns

Builds problem-solving skills

Equips the client with new thinking and skills through repetition with increasingly difficult practice sessions (i.e., role-playing)

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)

Treatment Components:

• Cognitive Restructuring: Replace irrational/antisocial thinking with prosocial thoughtso Used when problem behavior is caused by excess of

antisocial thoughts

• Cognitive-Behavioral Coping Skills: Teach prosocialresponses to high risk situationso Cognitive process and actionso Used when problem behavior is caused by lack of

adaptive thinking

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)

Characteristics of Effective Interventions

• The program is highly structured• Manual for intervention is strictly followed• Staff relate to clients in interpersonally sensitive

and constructive ways• Staff monitor client change on targets of treatment

at set timeframes • Relapse prevention and aftercare services are

provided• Family members are trained to assist

Well-Defined CBT Programs

USE COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL

INTERVENTIONS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROGRAM

Research Says Effective Programs Should…

Ensure CBT strategies:

• Cognitive Restructuring• Social Skills • Problem Solving• Emotional Regulation

Research Says Effective Programs Should…

On-going Role-Playing and Modeling

Target criminogenic needs:Focus Here:• Antisocial Attitudes,

Values, Beliefs• Antisocial Peers• Antisocial Personality• Family• Education/Employment• Substance Abuse• Leisure Activities

Not Here:• Self-Esteem• Physical

Conditioning• Artistic Ability• Life Skills• Victim Impact• Spirituality

Research Says Effective Programs Should…

GOAL: To develop a system that

increases compliance while the

client is under programming, but

more importantly increases

long-term prosocial behavior

Behavior Modification System

• Identify desired behaviors to target• Develop a menu of short and long term

reinforcements• Contingent on performing the behavior• Recipient aware that the reward is a

consequence of the specific desired behavior

• Continuous rewards followed by intermittent rewards

Behavior Modification System

THANK YOU!!!

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