Violent behaviour, treatment and recidivism: evaluation of the RNR model at Quatre Camins Prison

Abstract

In 2016, the Quatre Camins Prison (CPQC from now on) launched the Violent Behaviour Assessment Programme for the improvement of work with people convicted for violent crimes based on the RNR model. The implementation of this programme has involved moving from a rehabilitation model focused on crime to a model focused on criminogenic risks and needs of the inmates. Andrews and Bonta's RNR model (2007) is based on three principles: Risk, Need and Responsiveness. The first of these, the risk, refers to the importance of grading the type of intervention according to the level of risk presented by each offender, so the intensity of treatment and supervision must be increased in parallel with he level of risk of each individual: the more the risk the more the intervention in a closed environment, the less the risk the less the intervention. Secondly, the need involves working with each person on those factors that in their case are directly related to the probability of recidivism. Thirdly, the responsiveness indicates that the format of the treatment must be adapted to the characteristics and learning styles of the individual: these adaptations must take into account the gender perspective, the cultural differences of foreigners, the language difficulties and the intellectual and learning abilities of each person. Finally, the authors present clear evidence that effectiveness increases when the intervention is ongoing in an open regime. In 2018, the first part of this research was presented with the title “Assessment of violent behaviour in the CPQC”, which gathered the first conclusions after this change in the way of working at the CPQC. Readers can consult it athttp://cejfe.gencat.cat/en/recerca/cataleg/crono/2018/conducta-violenta-QC/ This update presents the results after several years of implementation that have allowed the model to be consolidated and, at the same time, a time of follow-up in freedom that shows the impact on recidivism.