RNR Model Analysis

An important issue that needs to be addressed within the Central Justice System is to have a reduction in the number of offenders in order to keep both society safe and reduce the population of prisons to an absolute minimum. A tool that is being widely used in order to manage and reduce recidivism rates among the average offender is the RNR model, however when it is used to treat different minority groups problems can arise as they all require different strategies in order to deal with their needs and make the model work. This essay will prove that the RNR model has the ability to reduce recidivism when it has been modified in order to accompany for the minority group of female offenders as well as highlight what challenges this specific group

face within the criminal justice system.
The Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model is known universally as the model for guiding the offender’s assessment and treatment by the CJS. The RNR model happens to be the only available theoretical model that uses a wide range of instruments, of which allow for the interpretation of treatment of an offender through literature and the most widely used method that systematically assesses general risk level and criminogenic needs (Andrews, Bonta, & Wormith, 2011).

The RNR model was established in 1990 in an article written and published by Andrews, Bonta and Hoge, this article outlined three principles that made up an effective form of offender rehabilitation (Andrews, Bonta, & Wormith, 2011). These theoretical principles stated in the article include: The Risk principle of which states the matching of an offender and their risk to the level of the program (high risk = high intensity); The need principle- this refers to targeting criminogenic needs to reduce the risk of recidivism; The responsivity principle- this states to matching the style of program techniques to the offender and their learning style/ability of which include general responsivity (cognitive social learning) and specific responsivity (Andrews, Bonta, & Wormith, 2011). By following these rules, it shows that programs that follow the RNR model match the intensity of the program with the risk level of the offenders whilst also delivering services

that enhance the responsivity that the offender would have to interventions (Neller, Vitacco, Magaletta, & Phillips-Boyles, 2014). Studies of the RNR model have shown that the principles have been associated with significant reductions in that of recidivism rates whilst on the other end of the spectrum with treatments that do not follow the RNR model failing to produce anywhere near as much reduction in recidivism where these methods would see minimal change and in some cases increase recidivism (Neller, Vitacco, Magaletta, & Phillips-Boyles, 2014). This model while being useful in reducing recidivism rates can also be effective at dealing with minority groups within that of the criminal justice system such as that of female offenders and the challenges that they can face within the CJS
In the past two decades both in Australia and internationally the numbers of women that are in the criminal justice system have increased by 260 percent.

These women have been increasingly going to jail for longer periods of time for minor crimes, the most frequent crimes that are being convicted are mostly related to drug and alcohol related crimes as well as theft (Mental Health Coordinating Council, 2010). A survey conducted in New South Wales of female inmates had concluded that; 80% are current smokers, 78% have used an illicit drug(s), 67% were unemployed in the six months prior to incarceration, and 66% of these women had also been in a violent/abusive relationship (Mental Health Coordinating Council, 2010). It has been argued that the risk factors for offenders are derived from that of genetic theories of crime and that they are an adequate guide for correctional supervision and treatment-planning decisions for females, however others argue that this approach is highly flawed and does not take into account gender differences (Rettinger & Andrews 2010). This is an issue in the CJS and its importance cannot be undervalued, the assessment for the risk and need has implications for the assignment of female offenders to a correction option that is the least restrictive, the assignment to an appropriate intervention dosage, appropriate targeting of criminogenic needs, and an understanding of female offending (Rettinger & Andrews 2010). Due to the increasingly large number

of female offenders coming through the justice system with 70% of female resorting to recidivism and due to this it is clear that current programs and models that are available are failing to produce results as they do not take into account the risks that female offenders are presented with (Deschenes, Owen & Crow. 2007). For female offenders their mental health and psychological needs and crucial to address when it comes to rehabilitation. There is a consensus that mental health problems are more common among female offenders than that of their male counterparts, various Australian studies have noted that there is quite a high prevalence of disorders within female offenders and these range from 53% to 90%, the mental issues that can present can result in high rates of depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and personality disorders, as well cases of self-harm of which includes suicide attempts (Mental Health Coordinating Council, 2010). When the mental health is taken into account it is important to then analyse the psychological needs of females in the criminal justice system, the psychological needs of incarcerated women has been an issue of concern for quite some time and due to this these offenders must be placed where their needs of attention and care are met, majority of this group have in the past suffered childhood abuse and substance abuse which is why it’s important to cater to those needs (Mental Health Coordinating Council, 2010).
The RNR model has been seen to make a considerable impact on that of correctional programming in Canada, parts of the United States, Europe, and Oceanic region (Rettinger & Andrews 2010). The gender indifference of this minority group means that they cannot be treated the same as their male counterparts and expect the same level of rehabilitation, this is where the RNR model needs to be applied as the model is effectively about applying specific treatment to an individual in order to correctly rehabilitate them in order to reduce the recidivism. In order to do this the risks of these offenders need to be identified in order for the treatment to be applied, these gender specific treatments should take into account Gender-specific services should incorporate physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and socio-political issues. Women have the tendency to be sensitive