Jackie Phillips, Author: CRJ331 Community Corrections, Unit 1.1 Assignment: Community Corrections, Post University 2023

Evidence-based Practices in Community Corrections

Do They Work?

Jackie Phillips

Criminology, Post University

CRJ331 – Community Corrections

Unit 1.1 Assignment: Community Corrections

Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 1

In this assignment, you will explain what is meant by evidence-based practices in Community Corrections, and why these practices are important to use when evaluating the effectiveness in achieving correctional goals

In your own words, explain what is meant by evidence-based practices in community corrections.

These types of practices work as long as the people evaluating the material are properly trained in Corrections and can unbiasedly evaluate the information in front of them.

“Evidence-Based Practices consist of eight principles to help guide effective intervention within the community corrections space. Research shows that combining the concepts of each principle results in a greater likelihood of reducing criminal recidivism.

1. ASSESS ACTUARIAL RISK AND NEED

2. ENHANCE INTRINSIC MOTIVATION

3. TARGET INTERVENTIONS

4. SKILL TRAIN WITH DIRECTED PRACTICE

5. INCREASE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

6. ENGAGE ON-GOING SUPPORT IN NATURAL COMMUNITIES

7. MEASURE RELEVANT PROCESSES AND PRACTICES

8. PROVIDE MEASUREMENT FEEDBACK”

(No Author given, 2024)

Why are these practices important to use when evaluating the effectiveness in achieving correctional goals?

These types of programs can be very effective because they don’t rely on “gut instinct” of a random Community Corrections officer to make decisions. Professional scientists spend time analyzing methods and outcomes to help others make great decisions to help others.

“What are Evidence-Based Programs (EBP)

Essential to offender success is the efficacy of programming offered by the DOC and its partners. Research has shown that, absent an evidence-based intervention, an individual is no less likely to commit a crime upon his or her release from prison. Prison itself does not change behavior. Evidence-based programming is programming that has been shown to work. Rather than relying on a provider’s gut instincts or anecdotes about offenders who have turned their lives around, evidence-based programs (EBP) rely on research that demonstrates a program is effective.

In the corrections system, evidence-based programs use research and the best available data to guide policy and practice decisions. By focusing on programs shown to be effective through research, we can expect to improve outcomes for offenders and their victims.” (No author given, 2024)

“The five policies are part of a larger, comprehensive menu of supervision reforms that Pew and Arnold Ventures released in 2020, “Policy Reforms Can Strengthen Community Supervision: A Framework to Improve Probation and Parole.”⁴ That framework sought to be broad enough to account for the many differences in probation and parole systems throughout the country, such as that they may operate at a local, county, or state level, and, from state to state, can fall under the authority of the executive or judicial branch.