Edward J. Latessa

The Risk Principle in Action: What Have We Learned From 13,676 Offenders and 97 Correctional Programs?:

Over the recent past there have been several meta-analyses and primary studies that support the importance of the risk principle. Oftentimes these studies, particularly the meta-analyses, are limited in their ability to assess how the actual implementation of the risk principle by correctional agencies affects effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Furthermore, primary studies are typically limited to the assessment of one or two programs, which again limits the types of analyses conducted. This study, using data from two independent studies of 97 correctional programs, investigates how adherence to the risk principle by targeting offenders who are higher risk and varying length of stay and services by level of risk affects program effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Overall, this research indicates that for residential and nonresidential programs, adhering to the risk principle has a strong relationship with a program’s ability to reduce recidivism.

Risk/Need Assessment, Offender Classification, and the Role of Childhood Abuse

Over the last several decades, the use of risk/need assessments has had a great impact on correctional classification and treatment decisions. One instrument that is now being used by many correctional agencies in the United States is the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R). Criticisms of the LSI-R include failure to consider physical and sexual abuse as risk factors and failure to modify the instrument for the assessment of female offenders. Using a sample of 442 offenders (317 male and 125 female), this research investigates (a) the validity of the LSI-R for both females and males and (b) the relationship between childhood abuse, the LSI-R, and recidivism rates. Analyses indicated that the LSI-R is a valid (predictive) instrument for this sample of female offenders and that a history of prior abuse fails to add to the prediction of reincarceration, once risk is controlled for using the LSI-R. Implications for further research are discussed.

The Effect of Drug Court Programming on Recidivism: the Cincinnati Experience:

The impetus of the drug court movement can be traced to a number of factors, such as the social and organizational costs of imprisonment and the literature surrounding the effectiveness of community-based treatment. Regardless of its origins, however, drug courts have altered the way in which court systems process drug cases and respond to drug-dependent offenders. Evaluations of U.S. drug courts are beginning to emerge, and although the outcome results are encouraging, not all courts are showing a reduction in rearrest rates. Despite the rapid expansion of drug courts, their growing prevalence, and popularity, little is known about the drug court models ability to achieve its objectives in a variety of circumstances. This research adds to the literature on drug courts by examining the effect of drug court programming on multiple indicators of recidivism. Results of the study are mixed; however, the drug court treatment group did perform better when examining arrest for a drug-related offense.

Ethnicity, gender, and the Level of Service Inventory-Revised

Abstract Offender assessment and classification is becoming an increasingly important part of correctional supervision and intervention. Over the last several decades, several different methods and “generations” of offender classification have emerged. Of most value appear to be third-generation, actuarial, dynamic risk/need assessments. With any new correctional strategy, however, there is a need to investigate the use of these risk/need assessments on offender subgroups in order to inform issues, such as reliability and prevalence of criminogenic risk factors. The present study utilized data that were gathered using the Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R). Results and comparisons of these assessments were investigated and presented for Native American and non-Native American offenders as well as male and female offenders. Discussion of the results, implications, and recommendations for further research are presented.

The Role of Offender Risk Assessment: A Policy Maker Guide

Abstract One of the foundations of developing effective correctional practices is the adoption of a validated risk assessment instrument. Risk assessments offer correctional agencies a clear understanding of the level of risk an offender poses to the community, as well as appropriate targets for change. Agencies that adopt a valid risk assessment recognize that the resources it takes to conduct a risk assessment are offset by the time savings it provides in the long run. The recent advancement from second and third generation tools to fourth generation tools provides even more utility for correctional agencies. Fourth generation tools offer an integrated case plan system that is driven directly from the results of the assessment and assists correctional staff in targeting those criminogenic needs that are identified as moderate risk to high risk. Although adopting a validated risk assessment is only one step in conducting evidence based interventions, it is a necessary step to ensure that agencies are targeting the right offender and are addressing the right targets.

Moderating Probation and Parole Officer Attitudes to Achieve Desired Outcomes

Much has been written about officer role orientations in probation and parole and about principles of effective correctional intervention, but little research adequately reflects the importance of linking these two discussions. The present study on officer attitudes provides a first step toward making this link. An officer attitude survey was conducted with both regular and intensive supervision officers at two different program sites. Each site recently implemented a prototypical model of intensive supervision that encourages a balanced approach to supervision and is based on principles of effective correctional intervention. Prior to implementation, the intensive supervision officers at each site participated in comprehensive training and development activities. The primary purpose of this research was to learn the extent to which attitudes of the intensive supervision officers differ from those of regular supervision officers—who did not participate in the training and development activities—in terms of their focus and style of supervision. The results suggest that a comprehensive approach to training and development can effectively instill in officers the supervision attitudes that are most conducive to promoting offender change.

Applying the Risk Principle to Sex Offenders Can Treatment Make Some Sex Offenders Worse

The risk principle states that higher risk offenders should receive more intensive services, whereas lower risk offenders should receive less intensive services. However, the criminal justice system routinely ignores the risk principle for sex offenders and treats them all the same with little regard for level of risk. This article explores the effects of different levels of treatment intensity on 238 sexual offenders who are on parole. The findings suggest that the risk principle does, in fact, apply to sexual offenders.

Application of the Risk Principle to Female Offenders

Previous research has supported the significance of the principles of effective intervention in correctional treatment. The risk principle suggests that intensive correctional interventions be reserved for higher risk offenders. Increasingly, there is discussion about the application of the risk principle to specialized populations, such as female offenders. The purpose of this article is to test the risk principle on a sizeable sample of female offenders involved in community corrections in a midwestern state. Findings suggest that the risk principle is applicable to women as higher risk female offenders who participated in residential treatment showed lower probability of recidivism than a risk-controlled comparison group, while lower-risk women increased in likelihood of re-arrest after exposure to the same treatment. Results contribute to the growing literature on effective treatment interventions for female offenders.

Research note victimization in the workplace: A test of routine activities theory

To advance and test fully routine activities theory, it is necessary to examine the relationship between routines and victimization in specific domains of social life, such as work, school, home, and leisure. Domain-specific studies, however, are limited in number and in rigor. In this light, using a sample of faculty members, the present study attempts to assess the impact of routines on victimization at work. The results support the utility of routine activities theory as an explanation of differences in workplace vitimization of faculty members. We discuss the implication of these findings, as well as the implications of domain-specific models for empirical tests of routine activities theory.

Making the Next Step: Using Evaluability Assessment to Improve Correctional Programming

The research on what works in correctional interventions provides a powerful agenda for correctional programming. Evaluability assessment is a tool that can be used to help put this research into practice by providing a measure of program quality. This article describes Gendreau and Andrewss Correctional Program Assessment Inventory (CPAI) as one example of an evaluability assessment tool that is designed to ascertain how well programs are meeting certain principles of effective intervention. It also reports the results of CPAIs conducted on 86 treatment programs. The results indicate that these programs are not adequately incorporating the principles into their correctional programming. Common shortcomings are discussed, and potential resolutions are offered.