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

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

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