An Examination of the Implementation Fidelity of the Risk, Need, Responsivity Model of Rehabilitation in Ontario’s Direct Operated Youth Justice Facilities

• Author / Creator

  Walls, Lori J

• Youth Justice Services in Ontario, Canada utilizes the Risk Need Responsivity Model of Rehabilitation (RNR model) as the evidence supporting their case management practices. The use of the RNR model has been substantiated through research that has suggested that when all components of the model are adhered to significant reductions in recidivism are possible. Since achieving reductions in recidivism is a primary goal of Ontario’s youth justice systems, fidelity to the RNR model is essential to assist in reaching the desired outcomes.
  The aim of this research project was to test fidelity to the RNR model in the direct operated youth justice system in Ontario, as well as to examine the contention that the principle of responsivity is the least understood and therefore least utilized component of the model. A retrospective chart review design that examined the files of all male youth meeting the study criteria between the fiscal years of 2001 and 2014 in the direct operated facilities was used to address three research questions.
  The first research question sought to understand what information was collected in the case management process that aligned with the model components. The second question examined how the information collected was applied to case management goals for youth. The third question compared the identification and utilization of RNR information between the case management plans created in the community with those created in the direct operated facilities.
  The key findings from this study suggest that fidelity to the RNR model can be achieved in respect to the identification of information that aligns with each of the model components. However, operationalization of the information into case management goals has proven to be less successful. Study results indicate that neither identification nor utilization of responsivity factors in case management plans is occurring in either the community or the facility setting.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • What Works Research
  • Risk-Need-Responsivity Model of Offender Reh
  • Criminogenic Needs
  • Responsivity

• Graduation date

  Fall 2015

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R37P8TQ9N

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.