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Applying EBP In The Field. Midge Christianson, Director 6W Community Corrections Montevideo, Minnesota 320-269-6513, extension 212 mchristianson@6wcc.com. 6W Community Corrections. 4 counties 3,000 square miles Community Corrections Act Agency. Incorporating EBP in the trenches:.
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Applying EBP In The Field Midge Christianson, Director 6W Community Corrections Montevideo, Minnesota 320-269-6513, extension 212 mchristianson@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 1980’s and 1990’s • Focused 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 change • Discovered we can predict risk of future criminal behavior based on factors • Discovered “what works” in changing offender behavior • Discovered what doesn’t work (stop it!) • Discovered some practices INCREASE the risk of criminal behavior – (stop that too!)
EBP PRINCIPLES • Assess risk and criminogenic needs • Enhance intrinsic motivation • Target interventions • Skill train with behavioral directed practice • Increase positive reinforcement • Engage ongoing support in natural communities • Measure relevant practices • Provide measurement feedback
PRACTICE • Changed 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: “We’ve gotten rid of a lot of supervised matters and the world hasn’t come to and end”.
HOW • Target interventions on medium and high risk offenders (supervision continuum) • Enhance intrinsic motivation (motivational interviewing, effective alliance)
Supervision Continuum • Target 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 Risk • Very limited exposure to system • Developed IN CONSULTATION with Judiciary, Prosecution, Executive Board – expectations agreed upon by all • Misdemeanor DWI, misdemeanor property • No general probation conditions, monitor special conditions only, then discharge • Group supervision
Medium High/High Risk • Specialized caseload for sex offenders and general enhanced • Lower caseload size to allow more face-to-face contact • Progressive phases and a focus on criminogenic needs/case planning (versus surveillance)
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWINGEFFECTIVE ALLIANCE • MI: “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.
WHAT • Target interventions on identified criminogenic needs specific to each offender that can be changed • Skill train with directed practice – cognitive skills group • What has been proven to work rather than what sounds, looks or feels good • Focus the purpose of offender contact more on criminogenic needs than reviewing conditions of probation
EXAMPLES • Information regarding risk assessment score by domain/criminogenic needs in PSI’s and violation reports, recommendations tied to needs • Removed “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 CONTINUED • Financial matters/monitoring moved to Court Administration • 22 week Cognitive Skills Course • Agents trained in Cognitive Skills principles • Content/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 expectations • Incentive of early discharge for all offense types except sex offenses • Reward offenders for compliance by decreasing supervision level (phases on enhanced caseloads; group supervision) • Restructure Process – work with offender to address issue rather than violate
CHALLENGES • Last two EBP principles: Measurement and Feedback/Modification • Quality Assurance and Fidelity • Keeping current on new research and EBP • Resources