ABSTRACT
The last chapter summarizes what is known and where there are gaps in knowledge. First, what we know. There is variation in criminal behavior across persons and across time. Developmental criminologists have identified the “life-course-persistent” who start criminal activity early in life and the “adolescent-limited” who start later and desist by early adulthood. The Central Eight is the common glue to understanding their criminal behavior. The expanded-RNR principles provide a roadmap to influencing and reducing criminal behavior. Although alternative theoretical perspectives to GPCSL have been proposed (e.g., Good Lives Model and Desistance), the weight of the empirical and practical evidence rests with GPCSL theory.
We still know very little about the practical value in considering specific responsivity in risk/needs assessment and treatment. What modifications to theory and practice do we need to make when considering gender, age, ethnicity, etc.? How do we best bring RNR services into the criminal justice system? How do we best balance criminogenic needs with noncriminogenic needs and strengths in our treatment programs? These are only a few of the questions that remain to be answered by future research.
