Chapter 9 The Risk-Need-Responsivity Model of Offender Assessment and Treatment

Overview

In 1990, the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model was first described. The three core principles were: risk (direct treatment to the higher risk case), need (target dynamic risk factors/criminogenic needs in treatment), and responsivity (treatment should be cognitive-behavioral with consideration of personal characteristics). For many, these three principles are viewed as the complete model. However, research on assessment and treatment has continued and today’s RNR model has expanded considerably.

The expanded RNR model is the focus of Chapter 9. The fifteen principles fall into three general categories. First, we have three specific principles under “Overarching Principles”. They are: respect for the person, understanding criminal behavior through GPCSL, and applying RNR across the range of crime prevention services. Second, there are the “Core Clinical Principles” of which there are nine. Here are the original 1990 principles of risk, need, responsivity (general and specific), and professional discretion. The category also includes the principles of human service, breadth, strength, and structured assessment. The last three principles are subsumed under “Organizational Principles” (community-based, GPCSL staff practices, and management).

Videos

Theory, RNR and the LS Instruments

Part 2: Risk-Need-Responsivity model

This section explores the three main principles of the RNR model, and explains how this model relates to theories of criminology.

The full version of this video can be found on the Videos page of this website.

Discussion questions:

  • How do the three RNR principles discussed in this video (risk-needs-responsivity) relate to the Central Eight risk-need factors?

Worth Remembering

  1. The applied face of the GPCSL perspective is the RNR model. There are two general applications of the RNR model. The first is the area of assessment, and the second area is treatment.
  2. There are a number of principles that are core to effective treatment programs. First of all, providing direct human service is preferable to punishment when the goal is recidivism reduction. Human service should follow the risk principle (match treatment intensity to risk level); the need principle (target the seven dynamic risk/need factors in the Central Eight); and the general responsivity principle (use cognitive-behavioral intervention techniques). Other core clinical principles are specific responsivity, breadth, strength, structured assessment, and professional discretion.
  3. Following the core clinical principles is enhanced when there is quality organizational support for these principles. The organizational principle, community-based, states that providing treatment in the community is preferable over custodial settings, although this is not to say that treatment in prisons do not work. The remaining two organizational principles speak to the importance of GPCSL-based staff skills along the relationship and structuring dimensions and management support for RNR practice.

Quiz

Further Reading

Bonta, J., & Andrews, D. A. (2007). Risk-Need-Responsivity Model for Offender Assessment and Rehabilitation. http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/rsk-nd-rspnsvty/rsk-nd-rspnsvty-eng.pdf

Wormith, J. S., & Zidenberg, A. M. (2018). The historical roots, current status, and future applications of the Risk-Need-Responsivity model (RNR). In E. L. Jeglic & C. Calkins (Eds.), New frontiers in offender treatment (pp. 11-41). Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Chapter 10