Institutional Corrections Test 4
What are the 3 broad different types of typical programs in prisons? - correct
answer--Religious programs
-Specialised groups programs
-Educational/skills programs
Religious Programs in prison - correct answer--Psychological safe haven
-Concern: "jailhouse religion" syndrome (faking it for the parole board)
Specialized group programs in prison - correct answer--Drug and alcohol treatment groups
-Sex offending treatment groups
Most common programs in prison - correct answer--Vocation/educational programs (targets
skill deficits)
-GED, college courses, prison industry, etc.
What type of programming are we moving towards today? - correct answer-Today we are
moving towards evidence-based programming
What does "evidence-based" mean? - correct answer--Basically using evidence of the
results from past programming to see what works best
-The highest form is empirical evidence (research, data, results from controlled studies, etc.)
-The lowest form is anecdotal evidence (stories, opinions, testimonials, case studies, etc.)
(this type of evidence often makes us feel good) Ex: boot camps, scared straight, DARE
Does punishment alone reduce recidivism? - correct answer-NO
Classification in prison--Why is it a key thing? - correct answer-knowing who you are working
with is important for assigning them to the right security level or treatment classification
What are the two main types of classification in prison? - correct answer--Security
classification
-Treatment classification
Security Classification - correct answer--High, medium, low
-Segregation, protective custody
Treatment Classification - correct answer--Are they a risk to themselves or others
-Risk- high risk for recidivism or disciplinary infractions in prisons (getting into fights, etc.)
RNR (Risk, Need, Responsivity Model) - correct answer--A treatment/ intervention model
-Risk= WHO to target, deliver more intervention to higher risk offenders
-Need= WHAT needs to target, target criminogenic needs to reduce risk for recidivism
-Responsivity= HOW to respond/treat, Use CBT approaches and match models/ style of
service to offender
, -Fidelity= HOW WELL, deliver treatment services as designed
What are two of the most important criminogenic needs? - correct answer-attitudes and
peers
-also personality (e.g. impulsivity)
What does CBT focus on? - correct answer-how core beliefs influence emotions and
behaviors
-A core feature of this type of therapy is focus on how a dysfunctional cognitive processes
influences emotions and behaviors
The Risk Principle (RNR) - correct answer--tells us who to target with the intervention using
the risk assessment instruments for classification (high, medium, and low risk)
-Involves predicting future criminal behavior and matching interventions and supervision to
the risk level of the offender
-Interventions should be focused on higher risk offenders who should receive the most
intensive interventions
-low risk offenders do worse when they receive intensive programs and supervision
The Needs Principle: Criminogenic Needs (RNR) - correct answer--WHAT needs to target
-criminogenic needs are those risk factors that are correlated with criminal conduct and can
change
-Major needs/ factors that programs should target with individuals attitudes, peer
associations, personality (impulsivity), family, education/employment, substance abuse,
leisure and recreation
The Responsivity Principle: "Best Practices" (RNR) - correct answer--HOW to target
criminogenic needs of higher risk offenders
There are two parts: General and Specific responsivity
-General= tells us to provide treatment that offenders in general will respond well to, like
cognitive behavioral strategies
-Specific= tells us to match the styles and mode of service to key offender characteristics
and learning styles
-Use cognitive behavioral strategies to decrease antisocial behaviors
Criticisms/ support of RNR - correct answer--There are more than 40 published
meta-analyses of the correctional treatment literature
-REsults have been replicated with remarkable consistency
-considerable support for the RNR framework
Effective Treatment Method: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - correct answer--Basically
cognitive restructuring
-CBT focuses on how an individual's core beliefs and dysfunctional cognitive processes
influences emotions and behaviors
-Major risk factor- antisocial values (people who believe it is okay to commit crime are more
likely to do so)
-Cognitions= attitudes, beliefs, values---these shape an individual's view of the world
-Also predicts behavior---poor choices, impulsive actions, etc.
What are the 3 broad different types of typical programs in prisons? - correct
answer--Religious programs
-Specialised groups programs
-Educational/skills programs
Religious Programs in prison - correct answer--Psychological safe haven
-Concern: "jailhouse religion" syndrome (faking it for the parole board)
Specialized group programs in prison - correct answer--Drug and alcohol treatment groups
-Sex offending treatment groups
Most common programs in prison - correct answer--Vocation/educational programs (targets
skill deficits)
-GED, college courses, prison industry, etc.
What type of programming are we moving towards today? - correct answer-Today we are
moving towards evidence-based programming
What does "evidence-based" mean? - correct answer--Basically using evidence of the
results from past programming to see what works best
-The highest form is empirical evidence (research, data, results from controlled studies, etc.)
-The lowest form is anecdotal evidence (stories, opinions, testimonials, case studies, etc.)
(this type of evidence often makes us feel good) Ex: boot camps, scared straight, DARE
Does punishment alone reduce recidivism? - correct answer-NO
Classification in prison--Why is it a key thing? - correct answer-knowing who you are working
with is important for assigning them to the right security level or treatment classification
What are the two main types of classification in prison? - correct answer--Security
classification
-Treatment classification
Security Classification - correct answer--High, medium, low
-Segregation, protective custody
Treatment Classification - correct answer--Are they a risk to themselves or others
-Risk- high risk for recidivism or disciplinary infractions in prisons (getting into fights, etc.)
RNR (Risk, Need, Responsivity Model) - correct answer--A treatment/ intervention model
-Risk= WHO to target, deliver more intervention to higher risk offenders
-Need= WHAT needs to target, target criminogenic needs to reduce risk for recidivism
-Responsivity= HOW to respond/treat, Use CBT approaches and match models/ style of
service to offender
, -Fidelity= HOW WELL, deliver treatment services as designed
What are two of the most important criminogenic needs? - correct answer-attitudes and
peers
-also personality (e.g. impulsivity)
What does CBT focus on? - correct answer-how core beliefs influence emotions and
behaviors
-A core feature of this type of therapy is focus on how a dysfunctional cognitive processes
influences emotions and behaviors
The Risk Principle (RNR) - correct answer--tells us who to target with the intervention using
the risk assessment instruments for classification (high, medium, and low risk)
-Involves predicting future criminal behavior and matching interventions and supervision to
the risk level of the offender
-Interventions should be focused on higher risk offenders who should receive the most
intensive interventions
-low risk offenders do worse when they receive intensive programs and supervision
The Needs Principle: Criminogenic Needs (RNR) - correct answer--WHAT needs to target
-criminogenic needs are those risk factors that are correlated with criminal conduct and can
change
-Major needs/ factors that programs should target with individuals attitudes, peer
associations, personality (impulsivity), family, education/employment, substance abuse,
leisure and recreation
The Responsivity Principle: "Best Practices" (RNR) - correct answer--HOW to target
criminogenic needs of higher risk offenders
There are two parts: General and Specific responsivity
-General= tells us to provide treatment that offenders in general will respond well to, like
cognitive behavioral strategies
-Specific= tells us to match the styles and mode of service to key offender characteristics
and learning styles
-Use cognitive behavioral strategies to decrease antisocial behaviors
Criticisms/ support of RNR - correct answer--There are more than 40 published
meta-analyses of the correctional treatment literature
-REsults have been replicated with remarkable consistency
-considerable support for the RNR framework
Effective Treatment Method: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - correct answer--Basically
cognitive restructuring
-CBT focuses on how an individual's core beliefs and dysfunctional cognitive processes
influences emotions and behaviors
-Major risk factor- antisocial values (people who believe it is okay to commit crime are more
likely to do so)
-Cognitions= attitudes, beliefs, values---these shape an individual's view of the world
-Also predicts behavior---poor choices, impulsive actions, etc.
