II. Matching Offenders and Services

Risk:

The Risk Principle identifies what level of service offenders should have. Offenders with high levels of risk and need likely require high-intensity services, while low risk offenders should be referred to low-intensity programs or perhaps no programs at all. One of the key findings in research has been that recidivism rates for low-risk offenders actually increase when they participate in intensive programs.

This finding is especially important given the scarcity of slots in service programs for offenders in most jurisdictions. Since low-risk offenders may not benefit from intensive programs or even do worse, intensive services must be reserved for high-risk offenders.