Two Legal Policy Short Paper Rubric

Frequently Asked Questions: Evidence-Based Practices in Criminal Justice Settings

What is Evidence-Based Practice?

Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) are approaches which have been empirically researched and proven

to have measureable positive outcomes.

What is Evidence?

Evidence helps people to form conclusions or judgments. It is an

outward sign rather than something felt intuitively. The most

reliable form of evidence is empirical evidence, based on well-

designed studies. Anecdotal evidence is the least reliable form

of evidence.

What are the Challenges of Implementing Evidence-Based Practices? � Requires a dedicated commitment to change at all levels of an organization � Often requires increased emphasis on accountability, both individually and collectively � Requires reconsideration of current practices and letting go of the “that’s always how we’ve

done it” philosophy

� May result in resistance as some people are forced out of their comfort zone

What is the Difference Between

Evidence-Based Practices and Best Practices?

Evidence-Based Practices

� Emphasis on empirical research

� Control of confounding variables through random

assignment � Consistency of findings � Cross-site replication

Best Practices

� Conventional wisdom � Repeatable procedures

that have proven

themselves over time � Not necessarily proven

through rigorous

research

Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable

www.atc-reentryroundtable.org

Key Steps to Implementing

Evidence-Based Practices

1. Identify the problem and desired outcomes 2. Locate the research that addresses the

problem

3. Critically evaluate the evidence identified in the research

4. Assess the extent to which current practices are consistent with the identified evidence-

based practices

5. Develop an implementation strategy and implement the program

6. Evaluate the impact of new practices on

desired outcomes

Why use Evidence-Based Practices in Criminal Justice Settings?

Because they:

� Put an end to risky “trial and error” approaches with offenders � Build on the lessons learned from our predecessors � Promote consistency and responsible practices � Allow us to invest resources wisely and to achieve desired outcomes. � Ensure internal and external stakeholders understand our practices and decisions � Increase accountability and improve our chances of reducing crime � Maximize the likelihood of offender success

Eight Evidence-Based Principles for Effective Intervention in Community Corrections

1. Assess Actuarial Risk/Needs

2. Enhance Intrinsic Motivation

3. Target Interventions

4. Skill Train with Directed Practice (Use Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Methods)

5. Increase Positive Reinforcement

6. Engage Ongoing Support in Natural Communities

7. Measure Relevant Processes/Practices

8. Provide Measurement Feedback

From: Implementing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Community Corrections, 2 nd

ed. (October

2009). U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections.

http://nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/Library/024107.pdf

How Can Evidence-Based

Practices Produce Results

in the Real World?

• Travis County Adult Probation has

accomplished a transformation

that changed and strengthened

the internal processes and culture

of the organization to promote

evidence-based practices.

• Adult Probation staff has a clear

and realistic vision of the future

direction. They have been

trained by national experts in

evidence-based practices and

have participated in intensive

planning and implementation

processes.

• Assessment and sanctioning

strategies have been enhanced,

and officers have been trained to

provide more intensive

supervision for higher risk

offenders.

• Adult Probation has strengthened

its quality control measures

through research, evaluation, and

measurement of outcomes (re-

arrest) important to the Travis

County Community.

• Initial results show reductions in

new arrests, probation

revocations, and costs to both the

State and Travis County.

• A May 2009 report by the Council

of State Governments Justice

Center (CSG) estimates that over

$4.8 million in state

incarceration costs were avoided

due to reduced revocations.

Case Study: Travis County Adult Probation

Probation departments in Texas and across the country are being

challenged by increasing demands for services and expectations that

probation should more effectively reduce recidivism. In response,

departments have been moving towards a model of “evidence-based

practices” that orients supervision to recidivism reduction. This entails

changing operations, from paper-work management to casework. The

change requires the implementation of more effective assessments

based on scientific tools, use of supervision strategies that fit the needs

and risk of the population, and programs that can produce results.

Beginning in 2005, Travis County Adult Probation has been engaged in a

“top to bottom” realignment of organizational practices to support a

more effective operational model called Travis Community Impact

Supervision or TCIS. TCIS involved reengineering the department to

support strategies that research show to be effective in managing the risk

of the probation population. TCIS includes two critical elements of a

strong probation system: 1) enforcement of the conditions of probation,

and 2) providing offenders with the resources and motivation to effect

change by addressing their criminogenic traits. The key is to use

methods that have been proven to work – thus, the term “Evidence-

Based.”

Improving assessment practices is critical in reforming probation.

Diagnosis of offenders along risk and criminogenic factors using

evidence-based assessment tools is critical to: (a) distinguish offenders

along characteristics that identify their supervision needs; (b) guide

judges in setting appropriate conditions of supervision; (c) guide

probation administrators in designing differentiated supervision

strategies; (d) provide probation officers with reliable information to

formulate and implement effective supervision plans; and, (e) devise

clear outcome expectations for the different populations. Therefore, the

first major task for the project was to reform the assessment practices in

the department. These processes were radically altered by creating a

new Diagnostic Report and a Central Diagnostic Unit. Both were

approved by the Travis judiciary and implemented in April 2007.

The result was the reduction in new arrests and felony probation

revocations pre -and post-implementation of TCIS. Travis County Adult

Probation compared 1,287 felons placed on probation pre-TCIS (Jan-June

2006) to 614 post-TCIS probationers (July-Oct 2007). Both groups were

tracked for 1 year after probation placements for new arrests using the

TX DPS database. The percent re-arrested in 1 year after placement on

probation declined from 29% in the pre-TCIS group to 24% in the post-

TCIS group. This represents a 17% decline in the re-arrest rate.

Revocation trends show a sustained decline in the number of felony

revocations in Travis County after implementation of TCIS.

Where can you go for

resources and

research?

Criminal Justice Social Programs

National Institute of Corrections The Campbell Collaboration

http://nicic.gov/EBPBoxSet www.campbellcollaboration.org

Crime and Justice Institute Evidence-Based Practices for the Helping Professions

http://cjinstitute.org/projects/webinars/series1 www.evidence.brookscole.com/database.html

National Criminal Justice Reference Service Social Programs that Work

http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/AbstractDB/AbstractDBSearch.aspx http://evidencebasedprograms.org

The Community Guide

Mental Health and Substance Abuse www.thecommunityguide.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

(SAMHSA)

http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/

Evidence-Based Behavioral Practice

www.ebbp.org

National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

Research Institute

www.nri-inc.org/data_topics/

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute at the University of

Washington

http://lib.adai.washington.edu/instruments/

National Institute of Mental Health

www.nimh.nih.gov

Evidence-Based Practice Committee

Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable

www.atc-reentryroundtable.org

For More Information Contact

Jeri Houchins, Administrative Director

(512) 873-4959

[email protected]