Evaluation of the citizenship evidence-based probation supervision program using a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial

This study evaluated a Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) evidence-based offender supervision program, Citizenship, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Citizenship has a cognitive-behavioral basis and focuses on education, increasing motivation to change, and community integration. The RCT is a ste...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pearson, Dominic A. S. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2016
In: Crime & delinquency
Year: 2016, Volume: 62, Issue: 7, Pages: 899-924
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Keywords:
Cognitive-behavioral
Community corrections
Risk-need-responsivity
Stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial
Structured probation supervision
Description
Summary:This study evaluated a Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) evidence-based offender supervision program, Citizenship, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Citizenship has a cognitive-behavioral basis and focuses on education, increasing motivation to change, and community integration. The RCT is a stepped wedge cluster randomized design that has rarely been used in criminal justice and overcomes some ethical objections to RCT implementation. Participants were all medium- and high-risk offenders commencing probation supervision (N = 1,091) in any one of the six office units during the 1-year rollout of the program. Overall, there was a non-significant 20% effect of Citizenship in reducing reconvictions. However, controlling for risk, the hazard with higher risk offenders was 34% lower than for the control group. Results therefore support RNR-based probation supervision.
ISSN:1552-387X
DOI:10.1177/0011128714530824