Intervention 1

Focusing on Effective Intervention
Brandi Steiger
CRJ 201 Introduction to Criminal Justice
Instructor Erick Funn
February 04, 2013

Intervention 2
Focusing on Effective Intervention

Effective intervention is very important when it comes to reduced reoffending. Principles of effective intervention is what psychologists developed and became organizing concepts of community corrections. The “what works” movement in corrections include four principles of the intervention which are risk principle, criminogenic need principle, treatment principle, and fidelity principle. The following paragraphs will discuss the importance and conclusioin of effective intervention. The first general principle is known as the risk principle. This includes and targets high-risk offenders. Programs usually are done with the use of risk-assessments for programs to be effective. “Once offenders’ levels of risk are known, programs can target those at the greatest risk of reoffending for the most intenstve treament” (Wright, J., 2012). Research proves that targeting low-risk offenders is less effective than targeting high-risk offenders. Based on risk level, matching treatment to intervention and treatment is the bane of corrections. As a result of an individual subjected to intensive intervention with low-risk, the offender’s behavior can worsen. Behavior can worsen when high-risk offenders and low-risk offenders are mixed together. Research shows that recidivism rates were directly impacted. Regarding sexual offenders, “The findings suggest that the risk principle does, in fact, apply to sexual offenders” (Lovins, B., 2009).

The second The criminogenic need principle, which is the second principle “posits that intervention programs must focus on change factors related to the offender’s