ABSTRACT
A growing body of research indicates that how correctional services are delivered can have important effects on offender behaviour. Studies illustrate that programme fidelity to evidence-based practices and the quality of staff-offender relationships can have a significant impact on client outcomes. As research on Core Correctional Practice (CCP) continues to grow, so do the expectations for correctional staff to act as ‘change agents’ rather than simply case managers. This new role asks correctional personnel to play a more substantive and direct role in facilitating client behaviour change. This requires close adherence to the results of risk and needs assessments, the formation of individualized case plans, and the use of highly structured cognitive behavioural strategies to teach clients new skills. Success in these evidence-based practices are largely dependent on the ability of correctional staff to establish collaborative, purposive, professional relationships with their clients. Thus, it has become increasingly important to train correctional personnel on how to create and maintain relationships with clients that are conducive to producing behaviour change. This chapter describes the core skills necessary to foster such relationships and support cognitive behavioural approaches aimed at reducing recidivism. It concludes with an emphasis on the importance of programme quality and review of current approaches to assess programme and staff fidelity to evidence-based practices.
