Making “What Works” Work: Examining Probation Officers’ Experiences Addressing the Criminogenic Needs of Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

This study qualitatively explored frontline perspectives on the challenges of addressing youths’ criminogenic needs within a risk–need–responsivity (RNR)-based case management framework. Twenty-nine probation officers from Toronto, Canada participated in semistructured interviews. Emergent themes included the importance of targeting “high impact” criminogenic needs (needs that—when effectively addressed—also have an impact on other need domains in addition to a direct impact on criminogenic risk), the salience of specific responsivity factors in case management, the lack of evidence-based programming available to youth, and respondents’ uncertainty regarding their role in addressing criminogenic needs. Results highlight the need for research examining the interrelationship of criminogenic needs, specific responsivity factors, and educational outcomes of youth on probation. Findings also support recent initiatives that provide concrete training to probation officers around implementation of the need and responsivity principles in effective case management of justice-involved youth.

KEYWORDS:

• community corrections
• juvenile justice
• probation
• rehabilitation
• Risk-Need-Responsivity
• young offenders

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank the following people for their contributions to this study: Donna Irvine, Stephanie Hanson, Nadia Mazaheri, Nina Vitopoulos, and the probation officers who took the time to share their experience and perspectives.

Notes

Respondents from one office were unable to participate in a focus group due to time constraints.