Evidence-Based Practices in Community Supervision are policies and practices that use current, scientific research to guide decisions and strategies proven to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for individuals under supervision, such as probation, parole, or community corrections. These policies and practices are grounded in decades of research in criminal justice, psychology, and behavioral science.
The primary reasons for implementing Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in community supervision include:
- Reducing Recidivism: EBPs focus on addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, which helps reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
- Improving Public Safety: By targeting high-risk individuals with appropriate interventions, EBPs contribute to safer communities.
- Efficient Use of Resources: EBPs help agencies allocate time and resources more effectively by focusing on what works.
- Accountability and Transparency: These practices are measurable and data-driven, allowing agencies to demonstrate effectiveness to stakeholders and the public.
Core Principles of Evidence-Based Practices
1) Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model
- Risk Principle: Focus supervision and treatment on higher-risk individuals.
- Need Principle: Target criminogenic needs (factors that contribute to criminal behavior, such as substance abuse or antisocial attitudes).
- Responsivity Principle: Tailor interventions to the learning style, motivation, and abilities of the individual.
2) Use of Validated Risk and Needs Assessments:
- Tools like the Indiana Risk Assessment System (IRAS) help determine supervision levels and treatment needs.
3) Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions (CBIs):
- Programs such as Thinking for a Change (T4C) or Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT) help individuals recognize and change harmful thinking patterns.
4) Motivational Interviewing (MI):
- A client-centered counseling style that enhances motivation to change by resolving ambivalence.
5) Graduated Responses (also known as Contingency Management):
- A structured system of incentives and sanctions to reinforce positive behavior and address non-compliance proportionally.
6) Performance Measurement and Continuous Quality Improvement:
- Agencies track outcomes and adjust practices based on data to ensure effectiveness.
Monroe Circuit Court Probation Department’s Use of Evidence-based Practices (EBPs)
The Probation Department began utilizing evidence-based practices (EBP) in 1998. Using evidence-based programs and practices alone does not make an organization an "evidence-based organization." The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) requires that all programs receiving IDOC grant funding shall use such funds to support an evidence-based practices organization as described in the Evidence-Based Correctional Program Checklist-Community Supervision Agency (CPC-CSA) audit tool Developed by the University of Cincinnati. The Community Corrections division of the Department is audited by the IDOC with this audit tool to determine if the organization is utilizing programs and conducting business according to policies and procedures that could be demonstrated by research to be effective in reducing recidivism.
EBP organizations must do such things as: complete validated risk assessments on all offenders; train staff to effectively communicate with offenders (motivational interviewing, finding what motivates the individual offender); offer a continuum of programming especially cognitive behavioral programs which research validates are successful in reducing risk of recidivism; and measure effectiveness of programming/practices through continuous quality improvement (CQI).