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                                    Resources
                                    Resources By Area of Practice
                                    Topics In Corrections
                                    Evidence-based Practices (EBP)

      

                    
          
    Evidence-based Practices (EBP)
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the objective, balanced, and responsible use of current research and the best available data to guide policy and practice decisions, such that outcomes for consumers are improved. Used originally in the health care and social science fields, evidence-based practice focuses on approaches demonstrated to be effective through empirical research rather than through anecdote or professional experience alone.An evidence-based approach involves an ongoing, critical review of research literature to determine what information is credible, and what policies and practices would be most effective given the best available evidence. It also involves rigorous quality assurance and evaluation to ensure that evidence-based practices are replicated with fidelity, and that new practices are evaluated to determine their effectiveness.In contrast [to the terms "best practices" and "what works," evidence-based practice implies that 1) there is a definable outcome(s); 2) it is measurable; and 3) it is defined according to practical realities (recidivism, victim satisfaction, etc.). Thus, while these three terms are often used interchangeably, EBP is more appropriate for outcome-focused human service disciplines.(Source: Crime and Justice Institute at Community Resources for Justice (2009). Implementing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Community Corrections, 2nd ed. Washington, DC: National Institute of Corrections.)

    Resource Links
          Rethinking Prison: A Strategy for Evidence-Based Reform (2017)
          First Step Act Annual Report April 2022 (2022)
                   NIC Resources
          Exercises for Developing MI Skills in Corrections
          Motivational Interviewing in Corrections: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing MI in Corrections
          Motivational Interviewing (with a Criminal Justice Focus) Annotated Bibliography
          Motivating Offenders to Change: A Guide for Probation and Parole

Topic Categories and Resources
The following grey bars are accordions that can be expanded to show a list of "top-shelf" resources that have been hand-picked by our library team around this topic. If you would like additional research assistance on this topic, please contact our help desk. They have access to specialized databases and thousands of resources you won't find online. Click on a grey box below to browse resources in that section.
            
      Accordion    EBP Implementation
      
      Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Community Corrections: The Principles of Effective Intervention

            
      
Principles of effective evidence-based intervention are presented. Topics discussed include: evidence-based practice (EBP); term clarification; eight principles for effective interventions -- assess actuarial risk/needs, enhance intrinsic motivation, target interventions, skill train with directed
              Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Criminal Justice Systems

            
      
Accession Number
              031461

            "EBDM is a strategic and deliberate method of applying empirical knowledge and research-supported principles to justice system decisions made at the case, agency, and system level. The initiative team developed the EBDM framework, which posits that public safety outcomes will be improved when
              Implementing Evidence-Based Services [Webinar]

            
      
If you are looking for an excellent introduction to how to implement evidence-based practices (EBPs) in your juvenile agency, then this webinar is for you.
      
  Accession Number
              028473
              Putting the Pieces Together: Practical Strategies for Implementing Evidence-Based Practices

            
      
Those new to the implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) will find this publication to be a great guide to the process. This manual is designed to be used “both as a checklist of key management concepts and as a reminder of important organizational issues that need to be addressed to
              Evidence-Based Practice Skills Assessment for Criminal Justice Organizations, Version 1.0

            
      
"The Evidence-based Practice Skills Assessment (EBPSA) is a self-report measurement tool designed to gauge the extent to which correctional staff demonstrate the skills necessary to successfully implement Evidence-based Practices (EBP)” (p. 5). The EBPSA guide summarizes how using the EBPSA can
              Implementing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Community Corrections

            
      
A “guide for [community corrections] agencies to transform themselves into evidence-based organizations” is provided (p.xv). Six chapters follow an executive summary: what evidence-based practice is; the integrated model; the principles of effective intervention; implementing evidence-based
              Effective Clinical Practices in Treating Clients in the Criminal Justice System

            
      
This monograph is “intended to strengthen and improve the dissemination of evidence-based rehabilitative technologies for offenders, within the multidisciplinary context of correctional treatment” (p.x). Sections of this document include: executive summary; introduction - effective clinical
  
      Evidence-Based and Culturally Relevant Behavioral Health Interventions in Practice: Strategies and Lessons Learned from NNEDLearn (2011-2020)
              Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Implementation Science Checklist Series (2020)
              Implementation Science in Criminal Justice: How Implementation of Evidence-based Programs and Practices Affects Outcomes (2017)
              From Evidence-Based Practices to a Comprehensive Intervention Model for High-Risk Young Men: The Story of Roca (2017)
              Evidence-Based Practice: The Psychology of EBP Implementation (2015)
              Preliminary Findings from the Evidence Based Practices Implementation and Organization Assessment (2014)
              An Introduction to Evidence-Based Practices (2014)
              YouTube: Implementing Evidence Based Practices in Community Corrections (2013)
              MACCAC Evidenced Based Practices Continuous Quality Improvement Plan Approved Phases One through Four (2013)
              The Colorado EBP Project for Implementation Capacity Development System (2012)
              Accordion    EBP & Juvenile Justice
      
      Drug Courts' Effects on Criminal Offending for Juveniles and Adults

            
      
“The objective of this review is to systematically review quasi-experimental and experimental (RCT) evaluations of the effectiveness of drug courts in reducing recidivism, including drug courts for juvenile and DWI offenders. This systematic review critically assesses drug courts’ effects on
              Can Risk Assessment Improve Juvenile Justice Practices?

            
      
“A growing number of juvenile justice experts are suggesting a new, potentially more effective approach to reducing recidivism: first identify a youth’s risk of re-offending; then match services to his or her specific risk factors and responsiveness to specific types of interventions. This study
              The Bridge to Somewhere: How Research Made its Way into Legislative Juvenile Justice Reform in Ohio: A Case Study

            
      
The instrumental use of evidence-based research for influencing the passage of reform efforts affecting the juvenile justice system in Ohio is explained. “Many states across the country face the challenges posed by young people in the juvenile justice system. Ohio is among the few states that has
              A Practical Approach to Evidence-Based Juvenile Justice Systems

            
      
"This article presents a practical approach that JJ [juvenile justice] systems can take in achieving evidence-based programming that reduces recidivism. Most JJ system programs produce relatively small reductions in recidivism, on average, thus there is much room for improvement. A research-based
  
      Juvenile Justice Information Exchange - Evidence-Based Practices
              Implementing Evidence-Based Juvenile Justice Reforms: Demonstration Sites in OJJDP’s Juvenile Justice Reform and Reinvestment Initiative (2017)
              Evidence-Based Policies, Programs, and Practices in Juvenile Justice: Three States Achieving High Standards Through State Support Centers (2016)
              Achieving Successful Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Juvenile Justice: The Importance of Diagnostic and Evaluative Capacity (2015)
              Evidence Based Practice in Juvenile Justice: Nebraska White Paper (2014)
              Utah Courts - Evidence Based Practices in Utah Juvenile Court (2013)
              Models for Change: Risk Assessment in Juvenile Justice: A Guidebook for Implementation (2012)
              Improving the Effectiveness of Juvenile Justice Programs: A New Perspective on Evidence-Based Practice (2010)
              Accordion    EBP Policy Making
      
      Implementing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Community Corrections

            
      
A “guide for [community corrections] agencies to transform themselves into evidence-based organizations” is provided (p.xv). Six chapters follow an executive summary: what evidence-based practice is; the integrated model; the principles of effective intervention; implementing evidence-based
  
      Principles Of Evidence-Based Policymaking
              Five Evidence-Based Policies Can Improve Community Supervision (2022)
              Custodial Sanctions and Reoffending: A Meta-Analytic Review (2021)
              Community Supervision in a Digital World (2021)
              Trauma-Informed and Evidence-Based Practices and Programs to Address Trauma in Correctional Settings (2017)
              How States Engage in Evidence-Based Policymaking A National Assessment (2017)
              How Policymakers Prioritize Evidence-Based Programs Through Law Lessons from Washington, Tennessee, and Oregon (2017)
              Minnesota Among National Leaders in Evidence-Based Policymaking State Uses Checklist and Cost-Benefit Model to Assess Program Effectiveness (2017)
              Key Findings From 50-State Assessment of Evidence-Based Policymaking Five States Lead in This Approach as Most Others Show Modest Levels of Engagement (2017)
              Implementation Oversight for Evidence Based Programs A Policymaker’s Guide to Effective Program Delivery (2016)
              Video: Evidence-Based Policymaking Made Easy by 'Results First' Tool (2016)
              A Guide to Evidence-Based Budget Development How to Use Research to Inform Program Funding Decisions (2016)
              Putting Results First in State and Local Government (2016)
              Justice Center For Evidence Based Practice Office of Research and Strategic Planning (2011)
              Risk/Needs Assessment 101: Science Reveals New Tools to Manage Offenders (2011)
              Risk-Need-Responsivity Model for Offender Assessment and Rehabilitation (2007)
              Accordion    Principle 1. Assess Risk and Needs
      
      Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (VPRAI)

            
      
This pretrial assessment instrument is a great resource for developing and implementing or retuning such a tool for your agency. This collection contains: “VPRAI Instruction Manual Version 1.2”; and "VA Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument Training".
              Evaluating the Predictive Validity of Risk/Need Assessments: Recommendations for Correctional Agencies and Criminal Justice Researchers

            
      
These presentation slides should be read before anyone begins to investigate which risk/needs instrument to use in their agency or organization. Topics covered include: prevalence of structured risk/need instruments; evaluating risk/need instruments; issues in predictive validity meta-analyses
              SOTIPS: Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale

            
      
“The Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) is a statistically-derived dynamic measure designed to aid clinicians, correctional caseworkers, and probation and parole officers in assessing risk, treatment and supervision needs, and progress among adult males who have been
              Price
              $0.00

Overview of Research Findings on Pretrial Risk Assessment and Pretrial Supervision

            
      
If you are contemplating the use of another agency’s pretrial risk assessment tool without modification to your own organization’s needs you may want to read this report. The use of pretrial risk assessment and pretrial supervision are examined in this report. Since there has been little to no

  Amount in Stock
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      2021 Review and Revalidation of the First Step Act Risk Assessment Tool (2021)
              Bias In, Bias Out (2019)
              Low Risk Offenders Under Probation Supervision: Risk Management and the Risk-Needs-Responsivity Framework (2018)
              The Most Carefully Studied, yet Least Understood, Terms in the Criminal Justice Lexicon: Risk, Need, and Responsivity (2018)
              Demystifying Risk Assessment: Key Principles and Controversies (2017)
              Risk Assessment in Criminal Sentencing(2016)
              The Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative (2015)
              Program Assessment Identifying What Works in Your State or Locality (2015)
              The Prediction of Violence in Adult Offenders: A Meta-Analytic Comparison on Instruments and Methods of Assessment (2009)
              Accordion    Principle 2. Enhance Motivation to Change
      
      Exercises for Developing MI Skills in Corrections

            
      
Motivational interviewing (MI) helps clients become less ambivalent about altering their maladaptive behaviors. This publication presents “scenarios that agents commonly encounter in their efforts to monitor and reinforce court/parole/institutional conditions and address clients’ central eight
              Motivational Interviewing in Corrections: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing MI in Corrections

            
      
This guide explains how to implement motivational interviewing (MI) in correctional settings. Motivational Interviewing is a counseling technique that enables people to get beyond their reluctance to change problem behaviors. MI is directive (focused on goals), client-centered, and non
              Motivational Interviewing (with a Criminal Justice Focus) Annotated Bibliography

            
      
Motivational Interviewing (MI) was introduced to the field of corrections in the 1990s through the Evidence-based Practices (EBP) Model as a method for enhancing intrinsic motivation. Since that time, agencies throughout the U.S., in all criminal justice settings, have-to a greater or lesser degree
              Motivating Offenders to Change: A Guide for Probation and Parole

            
      
This publication "provides probation and parole officers and other correctional professionals with both a solid grounding in the principles behind MI [motivational interviewing] and a practical guide for applying these principles in their everyday dealings with offenders" (p.2). Seven chapters are
              Two Probation Officer/Offender Contact Sessions (PO 1 & 2) [Motivational Interviewing]

            
      
These two role-played scenarios can be used in training or skill coding sessions as examples of:

A traditional probation supervision session
	A supervision session during which the probation officer uses motivational interviewing skills.
      
  Accession Number
              022005
              Accordion    Principle 3. Target Interventions
      
      The Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision: Risk-Need-Responsivity in the Real World

            
      
The application of the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model of offender rehabilitation to one-on-one supervision of offenders placed under probation is examined. This RNR-based training program is called the Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS). Sections of this report
              Myths & Facts - Why Incarceration Is Not the Best Way to Keep Communities Safe

            
      
The Community Corrections Collaborative Network (CCCN) is a network comprised of the leading associations representing 90,000-plus probation, parole, pretrial, and treatment professionals around the country, including the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), the Association of Paroling
              Myths & Facts - Using Risk and Need Assessments to Enhance Outcomes and Reduce Disparities in the Criminal Justice System

            
      
The Community Corrections Collaborative Network (CCCN) is a network comprised of the leading associations representing 90,000-plus probation, parole, pretrial, and treatment professionals around the country, including the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), the Association of Paroling
  
      Evidence Based Practices Implementation for Capacity (EPIC) Resource Center: Risk-Need-Responsivity
              Use of Risk and Needs Assessment Information in State Sentencing Proceedings (2017)
              Risk-Needs-Responsivity: Turning Principles Into Practice for Tribal Probation Personnel (2013)
              The Risk Need Responsivity Model of Offender Rehabilitation: Is There Really a Need For a Paradigm Shift? (2013)
              Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) Simulation Tool (1/4)
              The Risk-Need-Responsivity Simulation Tool (2013) (2/4)
              The Technical Background of the Risk, Need, Responsivity (RNR) Simulation Tool (2012) (3/4)
              The RNR Simulation Tool: A Demonstration (2012) (4/4)
              The Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) Model: Does Adding the Good Lives Model Contribute to Effective Crime Prevention? (2011)
              Accordion    Principle 4. Skill Train with Directed Practice
      
      Evidence-Based Practice Skills Assessment for Criminal Justice Organizations, Version 1.0

            
      
"The Evidence-based Practice Skills Assessment (EBPSA) is a self-report measurement tool designed to gauge the extent to which correctional staff demonstrate the skills necessary to successfully implement Evidence-based Practices (EBP)” (p. 5). The EBPSA guide summarizes how using the EBPSA can
  
      Using Plan-Do-Study-Act and Participatory Action Research to Improve Use of Risk Needs Assessments
              Accordion    Principle 5. Increase Positive Reinforcements
      
      HOPE Probation: Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement

            
      
The CCCN's live webinar highlights Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE), a strategy to effect positive behavioral changes in probationers.
      
  Accession Number
              032784
  
      State of the Art of HOPE Probation (2015)
              Positive Direction for Change (2010)
              Accordion    Principle 6. Engage Ongoing Community Support
      
      Implementing the Family Support Approach for Community Supervision

            
      
Implementation of the Family Support Approach for Community Supervision is explained. This publication includes the following sections: introduction and overview; guiding principles for putting this system into practice; tools and techniques for putting this approach into practice; practical
  
      From the Classroom to the Community Exploring the Role of Education During Incarceration and Reentry (2009)
              Evidence-Based Practice to Reduce Recidivism: Implications for State Judiciaries (2007)
              Accordion    Principle 7. Measure Relevant Processes & Practices
      
      Is This a Good Quality Outcome Evaluation Report? A Guide for Practitioners

            
      
“This guide is designed to introduce and explain the key concepts in outcome evaluation research in order to help practitioners distinguish between good and poor quality evaluation reports” (p. 3). Topics covered include: what evaluation is; the role of evaluation design; how well the evaluation is
              APEX: Building the Model and Beginning the Journey

            
      
“Through extensive research and analysis, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is offering the field of corrections a comprehensive business model entitled the APEX (Achieving Performance Excellence) Initiative. The APEX Initiative is an agency-driven systems approach to building capacity for
              The Role of Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation in Evidence-Based “Real World” Community Supervision

            
      
The use of Strategy in Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS), a comprehensive model for community supervision, is discussed. Those individuals involved with community corrections and its increased effectiveness should read this article. It will explain how to transfer evidence-based
              Price
              $0.00

WSIPP's Benefit-Cost Tool for States: Examining Policy Options in Sentencing and Corrections

            
      
The development and implementation of an analytical tool that helps states determine which evidence-based practices are most cost effective in preventing crime and lowering correctional costs. “The project’s overall goal is to use the best information available to identify sentencing and corrections

  Amount in Stock
              0
              Price
              $0.00

Performance Based Measurement System: What Really Counts in Corrections! [Satellite/Internet Broadcast held September 14, 2011]

            
      
This program provides information about the nationwide automated Performance-Based Measures System (PBMS). PBMS is an accurate, consistent way to capture, record, report and share data between correctional agencies. It was created by the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA).
      
  Accession Number
              025292

  Amount in Stock
              0
  
      Risk Assessment Quality Improvement (RAQI) Checklist (2017)
              MACCAC Evidenced Based Practices Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (2011)
              Accordion    Principle 8. Measurement Feedback
      
      Return on Investment: Evidence-Based Options to Improve Statewide Outcomes--July 2011 Update

            
      
An overview is presented of findings (as of July 2011) regarding “a comprehensive list of programs and policies that improve ... outcomes for children and adults in Washington and result in more cost-efficient use of public resources” (p. 1). Sections comprising this report are: summary; background
              Evidence-Based Practice: Principles for Enhancing Correctional Results in Prisons

            
      
"The purpose of this paper is to introduce prison administrators and staff to an accumulated body of knowledge regarding correctional practice to enhance their management of their prisons" (p.1). Sections comprising this discussion paper are: introduction -- transition from prison to the community
  
      Street-Level Decision Making: Acceptability, Feasibility, and Use of Evidence-Based Practices in Adult Probation (2017)
              Legislating Evidence-Based Policymaking A Look at State Laws that Support Data-Driven Decision-Making (2015)
              Utah Department of Corrections - Evidence-Based Practice Adherence Summary Report (2015)
              Study of Evidence-Based Practices in Minnesota (2011)
              Accordion    Resources
      
      Evidence-Based Practices in the Criminal Justice System: An Annotated Bibliography

            
      
“What Is the Evidence?"

Evidence-based policy and practice is focused on reducing offender risk, which in turn reduces new crime and improves public safety. Of the many available approaches to community supervision, a few core principles stand out as proven risk reduction strategies. Though not all
  
      NIJ's Crimesolutions.gov
              OJJDP Model Programs Guide
              Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence! Criminology, Law & Society, George Mason University
              The Forensic Psychology Research Centre (FPRC) at Carleton University, Ottawa.
              Justice Policy Center
              Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
              University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute
              Drug Testing as a Condition of Supervision (2020)
              Decarceration Strategies: How 5 States Achieved Substantial Prison Population Reductions (2018)

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