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Reducing the recidivism requires focusing on the behavior of the offender.

Quality of interactions is an important component of changing offender behavior; it requires the treatment and criminal justice systems to fulfill their obligations and follow through with the offender. This may require reallocating existing resources to commit to reducing recidivism. It also may result in changes in the number of offenders who can be served through the process. Many agencies operate from a mindset of trying to serve the maximum number of clients possible. Under the seamless system model, quality overrides the focus on quantity.

An important component of quality is the type of treatment services offered. The tendency of the criminal justice system is to offer less intensive, less expensive services. Self-help groups and educationally oriented services dominate the field. Yet, to achieve gains from treatment, other clinical services are needed (therapeutic community, cognitive behavior skills, milieu therapy). The focus on outcomes helps systems instate services that are more likely to change behavior. The emphasis on scientifically supported interventions will show gains in better outcomes.

"To Improved Offender Outcomes: Developing Responsive Systems for Substance-Abusing Offenders." 12 Steps to Changes in Policies and Practices
12. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
Reducing the recidivism requires focusing on the behavior of the offender. Quality of interactions is an important component of changing offender behavior; it requires the treatment and criminal justice systems to fulfill their obligations and follow through with the offender. This may require reallocating existing resources to commit to reducing recidivism. It also may result in changes in the number of offenders who can be served through the process. Many agencies operate from a mindset of trying to serve the maximum number of clients possible. Under the seamless system model, quality overrides the focus on quantity. An important component of quality is the type of treatment services offered. The tendency of the criminal justice system is to offer less intensive, less expensive services. Self-help groups and educationally oriented services dominate the field. Yet, to achieve gains from treatment, other clinical services are needed (therapeutic community, cognitive behavior skills, milieu therapy). The focus on outcomes helps systems instate services that are more likely to change behavior. The emphasis on scientifically supported interventions will show gains in better outcomes.
References
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