Risk-Need-Responsivity Model

Developed in the 1980s, the Risk-Need-Responsivity model is the most significant design of evaluation and therapeutic intervention for criminal offenders (Blanchette & Brown, 2006). As proposed by its title, the model is centred on three principles: 1) The ‘risk’ principle is required to pair the rank of provision to the criminal’s likelihood of recidivism, declaring that unlawful behaviour can be distinctively foreseen, and that restoration must emphasis on reprobates who are at a greater risk; 2) The ‘need’ principle is required to underline the attention of criminogenic necessities in the strategy and distribution of restoration; Lastly 3) the ‘responsivity’ principle is required to illustrate how the restoration should be delivered, capitalising

The first vulnerability and challenge faced by female offenders in the CJS, is the re-traumatising impact of standard operational practices and functions. Prison systems in some jurisdictions implemented the STATIC-99 approach, ‘an actuarial assessment instrument for adult male sex offenders, which developed risk assessments normed on male populations’ (Status99 Clearinghouse, 2016). This custodial function overestimated the risks founded on assessments of reoffending in men. However, a custodial design constructed for male inhabitants and their requirements, differ from female necessities, therefore do not meet the needs of female offenders. Succeeding this, strip searches, pat searches, and surveillance monitors are conducted by male staff, which affects women’s safety and comfort. Therefore, a gender responsive framework must be implemented comprising design selection, operational staff selection and programme advancement comprising; content and material that reflect the lives and experiences of females, including their strengths and difficult

More than half of all females locked up are mothers or primary guardians, and their period in prison can have major bearings on their children and families (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2018). Male detainees most likely have a home, a wife and their children to come home to. However, for female detainees, that almost never happens – once the mother leaves, the family unit disintegrates. The household upheaval can mean their children are highly susceptible to emotive and psychosomatic risks, as well as the possible shame and financial stress linked with their mother being in prison. Studies indicate, damaging influences of parental imprisonment on children’s development, comprising an intensified risk of offending themselves (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2014). Therefore, a remedial intervention must be employed, for all restrained mothers and their children, striving to focus on healthy family relationships (family unification), parenting programs and mentoring. Comprehending what models can be applied to improve these current issues of female offenders within the Criminal Justice System, is