Training community supervision officers in the risk-need-responsivity model of offender rehabilitation: a review and implications

Abstract

The premier paradigm of offender rehabilitation is the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model and several training programs for community corrections officers to better apply the RNR principles have been developed. This article summarizes and critiques three major training models: STICS, EPICS, and STARR. Furthermore, lessons are drawn from the research to guide further improvements in the training of community correctional staff. The community supervision of persons in conflict with the law is one of the most widely used correctional sanctions in North America and yet, its effectiveness in reducing recidivism is questionable. The review of training programs that capitalize on the RNR model shows that community supervision can lead to changes in officer behavior and reduced recidivism. However, to achieve promising results modifications to the training and to the agencies that adopt such training programs are necessary.

Keywords:

• community supervision
• RNR
• STICS
• probation officer training
• community corrections
• community-based rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Amel Loza-Fanous for first suggesting that I write this review and Chloe Pedneault and Seung C. Lee for providing helpful feedback on earlier versions of the manuscript and advice on some of the analyses reported here.

Ethical approval

The research was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Canadian Tri-council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans.

Author note

The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author.

Disclosure statement

James Bonta is a coauthor of STICS. The copyright for STICS is held by the Government of Canada and the author does not receive royalties from this program.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.