Intensive Rehabilitation Supervision: The Next Generation in Community Corrections?

• NCJ Number: 148335
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1994) Pages: 72-78
• Author(s): P Gendreau; F T Cullen; J Bonta
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This article is part of a column called "Up To Speed," which is devoted to reporting on research of interest to criminal justice and corrections practitioners. Co-editors of the column are Ronald P. Corbett, Jr., and Joan Petersilia.

Annotation

Intensive supervision programs (ISPs) are evaluated.

Abstract

As stated in this article, the existing evaluation research suggests that ISPs with a strong focus on control are not an effective correctional intervention. There is, however, preliminary evidence that supervision programs that merge control with rehabilitation achieve more favorable results. When seen in the context of the growing evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of correctional treatment, these latter ISP findings provide a basis for considering a new generation of community corrections programs that not only supervise but also rehabilitate offenders. These programs, referred to as intensive rehabilitation supervision (IRS) programs, should be informed by the existing knowledge base on offender classification and on the principles of effective correctional treatment. Initial guidelines for integrating this knowledge into future IRS programs are presented. Based on literature and clinical reviews, the authors provide a list of characteristics of effective and ineffective offender rehabilitation programs. A brief history of ISPs also is provided. References