Download Using the Principles of Risk, Need, and Responsivity to Inform

Liam Ennis, Ph.D., R.Psych
INTEGRATED THREAT AND RISK ASSESSMENT CENTRE/
ALBERTA LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TEAMS
Using the Principles of Risk,
Need, and Responsivity to Inform
Family Violence Interventions
Show me the data!
Risk-Need-Responsivity:
Meta-analytic examination (k = 374)
Overall:
(mean effect size by adherence to # of principles)
Figure 2.3 (p.74) from Andrews & Bonta (2010)
Risk-Need-Responsivity:
Meta-analytic examination (k = 374)
By gender:
Fig 2.4 (p.75) from Andrews & Bonta (2010)
Risk-Need-Responsivity:
Meta-analytic examination (k = 374)
By offender age:
Fig 2.5 (p.75) from Andrews & Bonta (2010)
Risk-Need-Responsivity:
Meta-analytic examination (k = 374)
By setting:
Fig 2.6 (p.75) from Andrews & Bonta (2010)
Risk-Need-Responsivity:
Meta-analytic examination (k = 374)
By increasing levels of RNR adherence:
Fig 2.8 (p.76) from Andrews & Bonta (2010)
According to the research
evidence…
• Adherence with RNR is primary when the goal is to
reduce criminal victimization
• With increasing adherence to the 3 principles, there is a
corresponding reduction in recidivism
• In light of the constraints in both institutional and
community resources, RNR provides best ‘bang for your
buck’
Level of Treatment/Supervision
Intensity
Low intensity
Low risk
Moderate
intensity
Moderate risk
High
intensity
High risk
“Match level of program intensity to offender risk level”
- Intensive levels of treatment for high risk offenders
- Minimal intervention for low risk offenders
Level of Treatment Intensity
Low intensity
Moderate
intensity
High
intensity
• Institution and community based
• 3 to 5 hrs of group sessions per week
• 2 to 3 months (total of 24 to 60 hours)
Level of Treatment Intensity
Low intensity
Moderate
intensity
High
intensity
• Programs mainly in institutions
• 3-5 group sessions per week (25 total)
• 2-3 hours in length (50-75 total hours)
• 3 individual sessions
•
Level of Treatment Intensity
Low intensity
Moderate
intensity
High
intensity
• Institution based
• 3-5 group sessions per week (78 total)
• 2-3 hours in length (156-234 total hours)
• 10 individual sessions
ITRAC Risk Ratings for IPV Case
(N = 147)
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6
Distribution of ODARA scores
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7
Comparison of recidivism variables
Any criminal
recidivism
Failure on
conditional
release
Violent
recidivism
Non-violent
recidivism
Stalking
recidivism
Target involved
recidivism
“Evaluations respond better to
the needs of decision-makers
(and science) when the
evaluation also explains the
source of risk”
Hanson (2009)
The Central 8
• History of criminal behavior
• Negative social influences/absence of prosocial
influences
• Procriminal attitudes/beliefs/values
• Antisocial personality pattern
• Educational/employment challenges
• Dysfunctional familial and marital relationships
• Lack of prosocial recreation
• Substance abuse
For treatment,
separate offenders by type?
Ennis, Buro & Jung
(2014)
Abuser Typlogies
Antisocial/Psychopathic
Family Only
Borderline
Personality
“We encourage assessors and service providers to seriously
consider the personal characteristics of each and every
offender prior to determining what kind of approach is likely
to work best with him or her.”
Andrews, Bonta, & Wormith (2011)
The RESPONSIVITY Principle
General
responsivity
•
•
•
Specific
responsivity
Refer to influence strategies
Use structured, cognitivebehavioral interventions
Ensure therapeutic alliance is
established

Responsivity
Matching treatment to client
characteristics:
 Strengths, ability, motivation,
personality
 Gender, ethnicity, and age
ITRAC Stakeholder Research
Ennis, Hargreaves, & Gulayets (under review)
• Majority of recommendations
implemented by 71% of stakeholders
• Lack of resources
• Turnaround time
• Awareness of ITRAC services
• Liability
R-N-R-Based System
Requirements
1. Valid methods for assessing risk/need
2. Aspire to have services available at
all points on the risk-need continuum
3. Communicate and cooperate System
partners need to to get individuals’
needs met
4. Empirically informed practices
Other Thoughts…
• Smart, well-intentioned people are
interested in your data 
• Partnership building initiatives and
funding
Contact information
Dr. Liam Ennis
ITRAC/ALERT
[email protected]
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