Correctional Assessment and Intervention (Spring, 2013)

Due any time before Thursday, May 16th, at 2pm. I would prefer a hard copy (in person or leave it under my office door), but will also accept email.

Directions: Obviously, this should be type-written and spell-checked, with proper punctuation and grammar. Please observe the following specifications: 12 Pt. Times New Roman Font, 1” page margins, double spacing,maximum pages = 8. Proper in-text citation is expected. If you stick with the resources from class, no reference page is necessary.

Tips: Synthesis of information from across the topics in class is expected (and will be rewarded). If you are concise, you should be able to do this within the page limit.

1. Despite your credentials, Minnesota’snew progressive/liberal governor has hired you as his“expert” on crime and justice issues. As part of your job, you are to appear on National Public Radio to promote the governor’s crime control policy. Specifically, you will be advocating rehabilitation using the principles of effective intervention. For preparation, you are to write a paper outlining the strengths of such an approach. The paper should address the following criticisms you are likely to hear from cranky NPRlisteners:

  • We’ve known that rehabilitation doesn’t work since the 1970s, why pursue a failed policy?
  • Crime has dropped in the past 30 years not because of some “huggy” liberal agenda, but because we pursued a conservative agenda of deterrence and incapacitation. Why change when it is working so well (crime is down, isn’t it?)? Haven’t we also proved that prisons “pay” in the long term by saving crime?
  • The Risk/Need Responsivity model (principles of effective intervention) is too narrow and pessimistic. The governor should advocate “creative rehabilitation approaches” that emphasize offender strengths.
  • Rehabilitation is too narrow. It ignores the suffering of the victim and the community. Restorative Justice is clearly the best policy option.

(50 Points)

2. “Cognitive-behavioral” programs are the current gold standard in correctional rehabilitation. Explain what these critters are, including the following:

  • How are the principles of behaviorism used? What exactly is done?
  • What are the “cognitive” components?
  • How are cognitive-behavioral programs different from “insight oriented” programs?
  • How well do cognitive-behavioral programs work (be specific)?
  • How has this model been applied to sex offenders?

(50 Points)

Bonus Question (0-4 points and web immortality): Compose a Limerickabout professor Maahs, the course, or both. The poem must follow the proper Limerick rhythm and rhyme to receive credit. See: