Implementation of the Need Principle: Examining Need-to-Service Matching

Abstract

With a sample of 125 adults (71.20% male, 76.00% White, M age = 33.17) under community supervision, this study evaluated the quality of a Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR)-based recidivism reduction practice called need-to-service matching. Need-to-service matching is a practice that relies on a risk-needs assessment to identify one's changeable risk factors, or criminogenic needs, and aligns service referrals in treatment plans with identified needs. The present study investigated the quality of need-to-service matching through three interrelated aims. First, the author investigated whether the number of cognitive-behavioral service hours assigned to justice-involved persons in treatment plans varied by total risk level. Higher quality need-to-service matching would be evident if those at higher risk levels were assigned a greater number of cognitive-behavioral service hours. Second, the author examined the number of assigned service sessions matched to a need area by criminogenic need level. Higher quality need-to-service matching would be evident if higher need levels were matched to a greater number of sessions. Finally, the author examined the proportion of matched service sessions received by the criminogenic need area by dividing the total number of sessions attended by the number of sessions assigned for each matched criminogenic need area. Higher proportions would indicate greater receipt of criminogenic need services and therefore higher quality matching. The present study has important implications for researchers evaluating implementation fidelity of risk-reduction practices and justice agencies' fidelity monitoring of RNR-based practices.

Cody Soderlund | Behavioral Sciences | Faculty Sponsor Dara Drawbridge