Fact sheet, Risk Reduction Services 2020

FACT SHEET
RISK REDUCTION SERVICES

2020

TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK CHIEF OF STAFF 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

2020

TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK CHIEF OF STAFF 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