FACT SHEET RISK REDUCTION SERVICES 2019 TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER JAY SANDERS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER INMATE SERVICES DIVISION OVERVIEW A unit within the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) mandated to reduce recidivism by providing research-based programs Provides constitutionally mandated or legally required programs Implements evidence-based programs that target crime producing behavior Focuses on changing criminal thinking and reducing criminal behavior GDC partners with federal agencies, state and county agencies and non-profit and community-based organizations SELECTION OF OFFENDERS FOR RISK REDUCTION PROGRAMS Selected by an assessment process that identifies an offender's risk and needs PRIMARY TARGETS OF EFFECTIVE OFFENDER INTERVENTIONS Criminal thinking Substance abuse Education Employment PROGRAMS COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM Designed to change criminal thinking and behavior Hold offenders accountable for their behavior Interventions are structured and directive Effectiveness of these interventions in changing criminal behavior has been demonstrated in numerous scientific studies MOTIVATION FOR CHANGE Reduces the resistance participants have to more intensive programming Helps offenders identify for themselves where they are at in their stage of change with regard to their criminal behaviors, addictions, attitudes, values and beliefs Four-weeks, five sessions curriculum program MORAL RECONATION THERAPY (MRT) Comprehensive, systematic attempts to treat substance abusing offenders from a purely cognitive behavioral perspective An objective, systematic treatment system designed to enhance ego, social, moral and positive behavioral growth in a progressive, step by step fashion Consists of 12 to 16 steps depending on the treatment Seeks to move clients from hedonistic (pleasure vs. pain) reasoning levels to levels where concern for social rules and others become important THINKING FOR A CHANGE (T4C) An integrated, cognitive behavioral change program for offenders Includes cognitive restructuring and skills building Helps offenders identify the reasoning they use that reinforces criminal behavior Helps offenders develop positive attitudes and beliefs to counter the negative ones that continue to get them into trouble Program was developed by the National Institute of Corrections and averages four months in length D.E.T.O.U.R. Dignity Encouragement Truthfulness Optimism Uniqueness Respect (D.E.T.O.U.R) Teaches offenders basic social skills critical to effective problem solving Scripted instructional unit comprised of eight sessions that focus on skill acquisition Developed to meet the need for a short-term training experience offered to relatively large groups, between 16-20, of offenders Transfer training (transfer coaching) component occurs six to 10 weeks after completing the instructional unit FACT SHEET RISK REDUCTION SERVICES 2019 TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER JAY SANDERS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER INMATE SERVICES DIVISION ANGER MANAGEMENT 12-week program developed through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Structured cognitive program implemented to address the needs of offenders with a history of violence or behavioral problems Program provided at all Level V facilities, TCs, DRCs and probation offices REENTRY SKILLS BUILDING Class enhances the skills of the offenders and helps them overcome barriers they may face prior to returning home The program offers offenders information on how to apply for a job, how to keep a job, how to manage their budgets and resources they can turn to for assistance when released SEX OFFENDER PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Focus on sexual offending as an abuse of power to meet needs despite the cost to others Addresses the areas that impact the way the offender views and deals with their crime MATRIX EARLY RECOVERY SKILLS (ERS) Developed by the Matrix Institute of Los Angeles Designed to help offenders begin the process of substance abuse recovery Curriculum consists of eight lessons designed to teach basic recovery skills MATRIX RELAPSE PREVENTION A 32-lesson skills building program Explains addiction information in simplistic terms RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT (RSAT) Targets high risk, high needs offenders with a history of substance abuse as a crime producing behavior leading to correctional supervision Based on the Therapeutic Community Model Program is nine months in length Georgia has one of the largest RSAT programs in the country INTENSIVE REENTRY PROGRAM (IRP) Targets non-violent offenders with a history of substance abuse as a causative factor leading to correctional supervision Goal of the program is to give offenders tools that can be used to abstain from drugs, alcohol and criminal behaviors once released, thereby reducing recidivism