According to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, “To be effective, efforts to reduce risk of recidivism for probationers and parolees must be guided by both the risk and the needs principles.”

This is best achieved by aligning the dosage (prescribed/ordered programs) and intensity of involvement in the programs with the person’s criminogenic needs. Our EBP Brief: Risk-Need-Responsivity Principles helps answer the common question: Who, how, and why do we need to apply these principles to justice practices to improve outcomes?

Promote Positive Behavior Change and Reduce Recidivism through a Professional Alliance

Building rapport with others is something we all do every day—with people we know and with strangers—to have our needs met. Rapport is equally important when supervising someone with justice involvement, and it begins during the very first contact. As Will Rogers once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” 

Utilizing a rapport-based approach, you can build a professional alliance that will enhance your ability to:

• identify criminogenic and stabilization needs
• set appropriate dosage and intensity supervision levels (based on evidence-based assessments)
• overcome resistance to change

When rapport and a professional alliance exist, people are more likely to be candid about struggles, achievements, and the need for additional support. Learn more by watching the seven-minute video “Building a Professional Alliance.” A discussion guide, “Building a Professional Alliance,” is also available.  

 Overcoming Resistance to Change

Changing habits is not easy; however, change is a key behavioral expectation when supervising people involved in the justice system. Many individuals may not recognize change is necessary. Sometimes, past failed attempts at change make people reluctant to try again.

Equipped with the right tools and techniques, justice professionals are better able to help people understand the benefits of making a change and commit to moving forward.

This six-minute video, “Overcoming Resistance to Change,” features a supervision vignette and details techniques justice professionals can use to help people take the first step toward making change. A discussion guide, “Overcoming Resistance” is also available.

Webinar: Behavioral Change Through the Use of Success Plans

Success planning (commonly known as case planning) is a strategy that is correlated with reductions in violations, enhanced perceptions of fairness, and improved collaboration. 

“Behavior Change Through the Use of Success Plans'' is a 52-minute webinar that was offered in May. Presented by several justice professionals, the webinar: 

• provides a brief overview of the success planning process
• introduces the PPCJI success plan template
• demonstrates use of the template
• shares tips for implementation
• highlights the value of motivational interviewing to promote positive change

Whether your department is already developing success plans or wanting to gain a better understanding of the tool, the webinar helps drive alignment across the state while building rapport with and improving outcomes for those we serve. 
                                           
Note: Webinar was a primer and was not meant to replace formal training and skill practice required to effectively develop success plans. Participants are encouraged to review the success/case plan policy and template prior to viewing the webinar.

Next month: The July newsletter will focus on criminogenic needs, effective programs in urban and rural counties, relapse prevention and intervention, conducting a gap analysis, fidelity assessments, and partnering with community-based agencies. 

Positive change is possible for everyone in Pennsylvania. We look forward to continuing to enhance your EBP knowledge and invite you to submit education/resource requests to askppcji@gmail.com.