Criminogenic Programmes

In 1999 HMA were contracted by the New Zealand Department of Corrections to design a suite of programmes to more effectively provide offenders with the opportunity to reduce their offending behaviour. This development took place within a significant revamp of correctional practice and was known as the Integrated Offender Management (IOM) project. The programs were designed around a number of core themes including:

• Motivational enhancement and buy-in at front end of program
• Offence mapping process as a way of identifying criminogenic need
• Skill building emanating out of offence process work targeted at internal states (mood state regulation, cognitions/thinking, chill-out)
• Skill building in terms of interpersonal relationships (managing conflict, feedback processes)
• Developing an alternative life map to replace the offence related pathways
• Family accountability systems to ensure long-term maintenance of behaviours

While generically designed, four variations of the programme were developed to target particular need. These were:

• MOD – Making our drivers safe
• Alcohol and Drug
• MPRO – Mixed programme to reduce offending
• Violence Prevention

The programmes developed by HMA for the Department of Corrections were based upon the key principles of effective intervention. They:

• Were designed as medium intensity interventions (4 sessions per week) over a 10 week duration.
• Target the prime criminogenic need of violence propensity while addressing a range of other criminogenic needs including offence related cognitions and emotions, alcohol and drug use, criminal associates, relationship distress, problem solving.
• The programme design utilized a range learning styles to ensure that offenders will be able to maximize their change.
• Motivational interviewing techniques were embedded throughout the programme to ensure offenders can maintain the focus and energy required for intensive interventions.
• The programme utilized a full range of treatment methods including relapse prevention planning, problem solving, safety planning, mood management techniques, and the use of cognitive-behavioural methods.
• In addition to dealing with questions of responsibility-taking for behaviour, the programme was strongly based in a framework of accountability. A core idea that rests behind the programme design, is that responsibility and accountability are two inter-related constructs that inform each other.
• Programme integrity was developed through consistency in both training and delivery. This is the advantage of contracting one particular programme design and consistently training staff in the delivery of these programmes.
• One of the key challenges was the marketing of programs to both offenders and other agency staff to ensure that the right matching occurs between offender and programme.