Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence, ACE! Department of Criminology, Law & Society George Mason University Amy Murphy, MPP Faye Taxman, Ph.D.

Systemic Responsivity Refers to having an array of programming available in a given jurisdiction that matches the risk-need profile of the individual offenders (Taxman, 2014)  Are the programs and services suitable given the probationer profiles?  Does the programming include services to stabilize the person in the community (e.g. mental health, housing, food, employment, etc.) 2

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Responding to Risk and Needs 4

Clarifying the “Silver Bullet” Myth Substance dependence is equivalent to criminal lifestyle/thinking errors in terms of affecting recidivism ▫Effective programs for substance dependence exist ▫Co-morbid criminal thinking may be addressed through positive reinforcers to shape decisions Risk level and unmet criminogenic needs should drive who receives programming ▫Prioritize high-need (both criminogenic and noncriminogenic) people for programming to improve supervision performance ▫Risk level can drive supervision level, but type/severity of criminogenic need(s) should drive programming 5

Challenges to Prioritizing Needs Many APD clients present with multiple dynamic needs--substance abuse, criminal peers, lack of employment. Temptation is to address the “easier” issues, such as completing GED, or place clients in places with available slots. Programming for life skills is much less expensive than drug treatment. Client preference may be to focus on job- seeking, etc. 6

What’s Wrong with that Approach? It is critical to determine what is driving the individual’s criminal behavior and address those drivers Employment and education are not directly tied to repeated criminal behavior Clients who have more serious needs like substance dependence and homelessness may not be ready to engage in vocational classes or hold a job, so addressing SUD and criminal thinking must come first 7

Hierarchy of Dynamic Needs Criminogenic NeedsDestabilizers/Stabilizers Criminal Thinking Substance Dependence Antisocial Peers/Family Low Self-Control Antisocial Values Mental Health Substance Abuse Employment Education Housing Family Dysfunction Together these dynamic factors influence the ideal level of care under the RNR model 8

Substance Abuse vs. Dependence Drug use is prevalent among criminal justice- involved individuals everywhere…but does everyone need treatment? ▫Substance Dependence: A pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. Prevalence in APD clients: 20% ▫Substance Abuse: Use of mood-altering substances often tied to lifestyle/peer issues. Prevalence in APD clients: 53% With limited resources, dependent individuals should be the priority. 9

Criminal Thinking/Antisocial Cognitions Criminal thinking is an important dynamic risk factor that is often overlooked ▫A pattern of thinking that rationalizes and supports criminal behavior ▫Should be assessed using a validated instrument ▫Can be treated with cognitive-behavior interventions ▫Prevalence among APD clients: 56% 10

Snapshot of Probationers’ Major Needs 11 (source: COMPAS Overall Sample, n=4,474)

Comparison of Needs 12

APD Estimated Responsivity Gap 13 Greatest unfulfilled needs are cognitive restructuring programs, mental health, co- occurring disorders, and substance abuse

Responsivity Gap in Cognitive Restructuring Programming (Criminal Thinking) 14 Green Bar= Available Programming for General Population Red Bar=Need for Programming among General Population

Responsivity Gaps in Substance Dependence Programming 15 Green Bar= Available Programming for General Population Red Bar=Need for Programming among General Population

Responsivity Gap in Self-Management Programming (Drug Abuse, Co- Occurring Disorder) 16 Green Bar= Available Programming for General Population Red Bar=Need for Programming among General Population

Multiple Programming Needs among those with Criminal Thinking/Restructuring Need 56% have criminal thinking plus: ▫41% are high risk; 22% are moderate risk ▫53% are substance abusers too ▫36% have mental health needs ▫37% have few (0-2) stabilizing factors  Stabilizing factors can include 30+ hours employment, high school diploma, supportive family, housing stability Greatest unmet programming need 17

Multiple Programming Needs among those with Substance Dependence 20% of General Population has Dependence plus: ▫42% are high-risk; 32% are moderate-risk ▫37% have mental health disorder ▫38% have few (0-2) stabilizing factors ▫About 40% of those in need of SUD programming need other services and high dosage programming 18

Multiple Programming Needs among those with Substance Abuse 53% abuse drugs (do not meet criteria for dependence) plus: ▫42% are high risk; 22% are moderate risk ▫37% have a mental health diagnosis ▫56% exhibit criminal thinking ▫38% have few (0-2) stabilizing factors Nearly 50% need programming for other criminogenic needs 19

Conclusions and Recommendations High-need clients need greater intensity of treatment. Front-load services to target clients during the first days post-release. Integrate “criminal thinking” programming and ensure that TAY services are responsive to youth needs. Ensure that probation officer and treatment providers understand common goals and reinforce each other. Provide female-only substance abuse programming that incorporates trauma-informed curriculum. Provide additional training to CASC and DPOs on reward-sanctions grid and track whether it is being followed. 20

Questions and Next Steps 21