Meeting Criminogenic Needs in Local Government

What are criminogenic needs?

"Crime producing factors that are strongly correlated with risk" (Latessa & Lowenkamp, 2005)

These needs may be static or dynamic (meaning, they may or may not be capable of changing through an intervention with an individual).

The "Big 8" Needs

• History of antisocial behavior
• Antisocial personality pattern
• Antisocial cognition
• Antisocial associates
• Family and/or marital status
• School/vocational status
• Leisure/recreation
• Substance Abuse

How can these needs be directly addressed?

8 Major Service Categories

1. Advancing educational attainment
2. Improving employment outcomes
3. Preventing/treatment SUDs
4. Improving marital and familial relationships
5. Building social relationships/support systems
6. Improving independent living and life skills
7. Providing mental health services
8. Promoting attitudinal change and empathy building

Sample

• Chesterfield County Government employees (mostly from human services)
• Eight agencies included; those who provided direct services to adults
• Both supervisory and direct staff members were included in sample
• Mix of random and conveience sampling

Quantitative Methodology

Emailed a survey with open and closed-ended questions addressing the degree to which services are provided to meet various categories of services (i.e., criminogenic needs)

Qualitative Methodology

Spoke with members of sample when available to describe services
Reviewed agency documents describing how services are provided and the goals for intervention

Findings

• "Practical" service needs are largely identified as secondary in importance (employment, education, IL skills in order from least to most attention by agencies)

Findings

• "Therapeutic" service needs are largely identified as primary in importance (in order: MH services/attitude change, social relationships, SUDs, marital and family)

Discussion

• Perhaps more attention or services to assist criminal offenders improve the practical realities of their lives (work status, income, educational attainment, ability to complete day to day activities) may improve recidivism county-wide