Pathfinders’ pro-social living curricula are used in 13 of 14 Department of Corrections facilities across the state of Oregon, and by several local county governments.

Recent research efforts based on meta-analysis have provided the criminal justice field with information about how to better reduce recidivism. Below are eight principles from Clawson, Bogue, Joplin “Implementing Evidence-Based Policy and Practicees in Corrections” initiative. They are listed in developmental sequence.

1. Assess Actuarial Risk/Needs - Assessing offenders’ risk and needs (focusing on dynamic and static risk factors and criminogenic needs) at the individual and aggregate levels is essential for implementing the principles of best practice.
2. Enhance Intrinsic Motivation - Research strongly suggests that “motivational interviewing” techniques, rather than persuasion tactics, effectively enhance motivation for initiating and maintaining behavior changes.
3. Target Interventions
   • Risk Principle - Prioritize supervision and treatment resources for higher-risk offenders.
   • Need Principle - Target interventions to criminogenic needs.
   • Responsivity Principle - Be responsive to temperament, learning style, motivation, gender and culture when assigning to programs.
   • Dosage - Structure 40 to 70 percent of high-risk offenders’ time for three to nine months.
   • Treatment Principle - Integrate treatment into full sentence/sanctions requirements.
4. Skill-Train With Directed Practice - Provide evidence-based programming that emphasizes cognitive-behavior strategies and is delivered by well-trained staff.
5. Increase Positive Reinforcement - Apply four positive reinforcements for each negative reinforcement for optimal behavior change results.
6. Engage Ongoing Support in Natural Communities - Realign and actively engage pro-social support for offenders in their communities for positive reinforcement of desired new behaviors.
7. Measure Relevant Processes/Practices – Provide an accurate and detailed documentation of case information and staff performance, which, along with a formal and valid mechanism for measuring outcomes, is the foundation of evidence-based practice.
8. Provide Measurement Feedback - Provide feedback in order to build accountability and maintain integrity, which ultimately improves outcomes.

Additional evidence based support: What Works (PDF)