Choosing Correctional Options That Work : Defining the Demand and Evaluating the Supply

This landmark volume responds to the persistent demands from criminal justice professionals, policy advisers and the general public for `correctional options that work′.

The contributors: define the options; seek to identify the varied concepts and hidden agendas underneath the simple phrase `what works?′; select three key areas in which to review relevant theory and empirical evidence - risk//needs assessment techniques; intervention//sanctioning options; programme implementation approaches; promote a dialogue amongst the key players which will prepare them for proactive decision-making on when and for whom alternatives to prison, particularly in the community, are appropriate rather than force them into panic dec

Choosing Correctional Options that Work captures the highlights of the International Association of Residential and Community Alternatives (IARCA) conference, at which practitioners and researchers came together to identify what we know about effective community-based options and how we can improve that knowledge. Integrating the important finding and messages from that meeting, this volume is a major contribution to those interested in advancing the efficacy and utility of community correctional options. --John J. Larivee, Executive Director, Crime and Justice Foundation and President, IARCA Choosing Correctional Options that Work is the first volume to answer in detail the continuing and escalating demand for insight into correctional options and their effectiveness. This carefully edited book not only critiques the possible meanings of "correctional options" but also articulates "what works" by providing comprehensive reviews of relevant theory and empirical evidence. Reaching beyond an emphasis on interventions only, the contributors respond to the question of what works by examining risk or needs assessment techniques, intervention or sanctioning options, and program implementation approaches. Chapters illuminate how key decision and policymakers can improve their odds of choosing correctional options that work by simultaneously clarifying the demand for viable options and critically assessing past attempts to supply that demand. A must read, Choosing Correctional Options that Work provides a new and effective model for researchers, policymakers, planners, evaluators, administrators, and practitioners to facilitate more successful development of future correctional and other criminal justice options.