Applying EBP In The FieldMidge Christianson, Director6W Community CorrectionsMontevideo, Minnesota320-269-6513, extension 212mchristianson@6wcc.com

6W Community Corrections

4 counties

3,000 square miles

Community Corrections Act Agency

Incorporating EBP in the trenches:

What has changed?

How did we change?

1970 - 2000

THE LAY OF THE LAND

1974 Robert Martinson Study

NOTHING WORKS!

Study drove practices through the 1980s and 1990sFocused on deterrence through incarceration or offender management techniques

Just desserts and crime control

What that looked like in 6WCC..

Many states developed determinate sentencing guidelines during this time

Group of criminologists/researchers continued to study offender changeDiscovered we can predict risk of future criminal behavior based on factorsDiscovered what works in changing offender behaviorDiscovered what doesnt work (stop it!)Discovered some practices INCREASE the risk of criminal behavior (stop that too!)

EBP PRINCIPLES

Assess risk and criminogenic needsEnhance intrinsic motivationTarget interventionsSkill train with behavioral directed practiceIncrease positive reinforcementEngage ongoing support in natural communitiesMeasure relevant practicesProvide measurement feedback

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!

PRACTICEChanged WHO we supervise

Changed HOW we supervise

Change WHAT we supervise

Changed HOW LONG we supervise

WHO

Target interventions on medium and high risk offenders

Assess risk AND criminogenic needs

Worked with Judiciary

Eliminated supervision of low level offenses traffic, shoplifting, bad checks, juvenile curfew and smoking

Resource focused who do you want us to spend our time on?

Judge Paul Nelson: Weve gotten rid of a lot of supervised matters and the world hasnt come to and end.

HOW

Target interventions on medium and high risk offenders (supervision continuum)

Enhance intrinsic motivation (motivational interviewing, effective alliance)

Supervision ContinuumTarget supervision resources on medium and high risk offenders

Risk assessment tools Level of Service Inventory Revised (Level of Service/Case Management Inventory), Spousal Assault Risk Assessment, Sex Offender Specific tools

Administrative, group supervision, traditional supervision, general enhanced supervision, sex offender enhanced supervision

Low/Medium Low RiskVery limited exposure to systemDeveloped IN CONSULTATION with Judiciary, Prosecution, Executive Board expectations agreed upon by allMisdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor propertyNo general probation conditions, monitor special conditions only, then discharge Group supervision

Medium High/High RiskSpecialized caseload for sex offenders and general enhancedLower caseload size to allow more face-to-face contactProgressive phases and a focus on criminogenic needs/case planning (versus surveillance)

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWINGEFFECTIVE ALLIANCEMI: A collaborative, person-centered form of guiding to elicit and strengthen motivation to change.Effective Alliance the quality of the agent/offender relationship can positively impact the outcome of probation and recidivism. Crucial for agents to be able to cultivate relationships with offenders that maximize the likelihood of success.

WHATTarget interventions on identified criminogenic needs specific to each offender that can be changedSkill train with directed practice cognitive skills groupWhat has been proven to work rather than what sounds, looks or feels goodFocus the purpose of offender contact more on criminogenic needs than reviewing conditions of probation

EXAMPLESInformation regarding risk assessment score by domain/criminogenic needs in PSIs and violation reports, recommendations tied to needsRemoved obey all laws from general conditions of probation. Judges specify IF and WHAT TYPE of OBAL condition.No standard abstain/random testing condition based on identified risk per assessment(s)

EXAMPLES CONTINUEDFinancial matters/monitoring moved to Court Administration22 week Cognitive Skills Course Agents trained in Cognitive Skills principlesContent/quality of contacts is stressed, not just quantity (weekly plans structure 40%-70% of time, agenda setting)

HOW LONG

Increase positive reinforcement (carrot works better than the stick)

Worked with Judiciary and Prosecution to develop standards and common expectationsIncentive of early discharge for all offense types except sex offensesReward offenders for compliance by decreasing supervision level (phases on enhanced caseloads; group supervision)Restructure Process work with offender to address issue rather than violate

CHALLENGESLast two EBP principles: Measurement and Feedback/Modification

Quality Assurance and Fidelity

Keeping current on new research and EBP

Resources