NCJ Number
204923
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 48 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 203-214
Date Published
April 2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined how core correctional practices and staff characteristics affect recidivism.
Abstract
A vast quantity of research has investigated the treatment style that is most effective at reducing recidivism among criminal offenders. However, scant research has investigated whether the characteristics of treatment staff or the style of treatment delivery have an impact on offender recidivism. The authors conducted a meta-analytic review of the correctional treatment literature to discover whether adherence to a training curriculum known as “Core Correctional Practice” (CCP) is associated with greater program effectiveness as measured by reduced recidivism. The meta-analytic review included assessments of risk, criminogenic need, responsivity, appropriate treatment, and adherence to the principles of CCP. Results indicated that CCP’s were rarely used in the sample of human services programs. Use of CCP was positively and significantly correlated with higher effect size and with appropriate treatment. Surprisingly, the meta-analytic review underscored the infrequency with which effective correctional practices were used in treatment models. When CCP principles were followed, there were significant reductions in recidivism rates. Thus, the findings provide strong empirical evidence of the importance of staff characteristics and staff practice in the treatment of offenders. Staff training should be prioritized in order to better reduce re-offending rates. Tables, notes, references