Forensic Intervention

Question 1

What is a forensic intervention?

Answer 1

Something that aims to address offending behaviour in order to reduce reoffending

Question 2

‘Nothing works’ principles

Answer 2

• nothing works to rehabilitate offenders
• nothing that the CJS does will reduce crime
• prisons have virtually no effect and should only be used for serious offenders
• engaging in criminological research is a tool of the state

Question 3

‘What works’

Answer 3

• Scientific knowledge/ research is the basis for effective intervention
• scientific knowledge should be used to destroy knowledge that is not evidence based
• scientific knowledge should be used to construct knowledge about what does work
• legitimate for researchers to generate knowledge that can reduce crime
• recognises multiple influences on offending behaviour

Question 4

Three basic principles for reducing reoffending and rehabilitation

Answer 4

Risk
Need
Responsivity

Question 5

Risk

Answer 5

The duration and intensity of treatment and supervision should match the level of risk posed by the offender

Question 6

What do we mean by risk?

Answer 6

Severity 
Imminence 
Frequency 
Potential V
Triggers 
Protective

Question 7

Need

Answer 7

The treatment should address the criminogenic needs

- dynamic risk factors

Question 8

Criminogenic needs

Answer 8

• offenders have many needs that might require some form of intervention, but not all of these needs are linked to their offending behaviour

Question 9

What are they linked to?

Answer 9

Criminal behaviour

Question 10

% of difference in recidivism when criminogenic needs are assessed?

Answer 10

19%

Question 11

Criminal attitudes

Answer 11

Shifting attitudes through treatment from pro criminal to pro social

Question 12

Examples

Answer 12

• antisocial attitudes
• antisocial peers
• employment issues
• substance abuse problems
• emotional control difficulties

Question 13

Responsivity

Answer 13

The treatment should be delivered and adapted to suit individual offender characteristics

Question 14

Responsivity considerations

Answer 14

• intellectual ability
• language
• literacy
• mental health
• current substance use
• personality difficulties
• motivation

Question 15

Other considerations

Answer 15

• prioritising treatment
• risk of harm
• likelihood of offending
• proximity to release
• alternative opportunities for treatment

Question 16

Offender behaviour programmes - aim?

Answer 16

To change the thinking, attitudes and behaviours which may lead people to reoffend

Question 17

What do they encourage

Answer 17

Pro social goals and attitudes for the future

Question 18

What new skills do they help develop?

Answer 18

1. Problem solving
2. Perspective talking
3. Managing relationships
4. Self-management

Question 19

What techniques do these programmes use

Answer 19

Cognitive behavioural techniques

Question 20

Programme accreditation

Answer 20

• are accredited by the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel

Question 21

When are programmes considered?

Answer 21

-

Question 22

Examples

Answer 22

1. Building better relationships (BBR)
2. Alcohol related violence (ARV)
3. Healthy identity intervention (HII)
4. Thinking Skills Programme
5. Choices, Actions, Relationships, Emotions (CARE)

Question 23

Offender behaviour programmes

Answer 23

• manual based
• trained facilitators
• treatment manager/ programme manager
• 8-10 ppts
• assessed for suitability
• post treatment report

Question 24

Good Lives Model - Ward (2003)

Answer 24

• we need to build capabilities and strengths in people, in order to reduce their risk of offending

Question 25

Why do people offend?

Answer 25

- they are attempting to secure some kind of valued outcome in their life - as such, offending is essentially the product of a desire for something that is inherently human and normal - but the desire or goal manifests itself in harmful and antisocial behaviours, due to a range of deficits and weaknesses within the offender and their environment

Question 26

A good life

Answer 26

- healthy living and functioning

Question 27

Kaizen

Answer 27

- designed to meet the needs of adult males who pose a high risk - sexual offences, general violent, IPV

Question 28

What does it involve?

Answer 28

- a unified set of treatment targets applicable to all 3 groups - flexible and responsive to the criminogenic needs to high risk offenders

Question 29

Success wheel

Answer 29

- represents criminogenic factors, all framed in a positive way to ensure there is more of a strengths focus rather than a deficit issue

Question 30

Positive relationships

Answer 30

- antisocial peers - greviance - lack of intimacy with adults - sexual jealousy - feelings of inadequacy - emotional identification with children

Question 31

Managing life’s problems

Answer 31

- difficulties solving life problems - impulsive and unstable lifestyle - substance abuse

Question 32

Sense of purpose

Answer 32

- motivates towards desistance - engaged in employment or constructive activity - citizenship

Question 33

Healthy thinking

Answer 33

- attitudes that support: IPV - the use of violence - sexualcoffending

Question 34

Treatment readiness

Answer 34

- a responsivity consideration | - useful to think about the stages of change

Question 35

Cycle of Change - Prochaska and DiClemente (1993)

Answer 35

- contemplation

Question 36

Increasing motivation to change...

Answer 36

- capacity to change increased in believe in change-hope - therapist style - rolling with resistance - client led - motivational interviewing

Question 37

Challenges?

Answer 37

- people | - environment