A TWO-DAY WORKSHOP ON THE RISK, NEED AND RESPONSIVITY (RNR) PRINCIPLES WITH DR. GUY BOURGON

The Risk, Need, and Responsivity (RNR) Principles are a set of principles that when adhered to increases the chance of crime preventive interventions being effective. First formulated by Andrews, Bonta, and colleagues in 1990, the RNR principles have been shown to be one of the most empirically supported methods for preventing a broad array of criminal behavior. In a field that has historically been marred by pessimism, achieving the results that the RNR principles have is quite astonishing. It is therefore no surprise when e.g. the researchers behind the HCR-20v3 – one of the most frequently used risk assessment tools – proclaim that they “[…] are persuaded by the [RNR] model of risk management [and that evaluators] should strive to fulfill the Risk, Need and Responsivity Principles”. Likewise, we find that the RNR principles are foundational for many risk assessment tools and many crime-preventive treatment programs. The Danish Prison Service has since 2013 sought to base their crime preventive interventions on the RNR principles.

If you wish to gain insight into or expand your knowledge about the internationally most reputable and accepted approach to crime prevention, or if you wish to gain a better understanding of how the RNR principles are a necessary foundation for the usage of the most common risk assessment tools in both correctional and psychiatric settings. You now have the opportunity to attend this workshop with one of the most knowledgeable experts on the RNR principles and their practical application.

Presenter
Dr. Guy Bourgon is a clinical psychologist specializing in correctional and criminal justice psychology. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa in 1994. He has worked in institutional and community settings with Ontario’s Ministry of Correctional Services and was a Senior Researcher with Public Safety Canada. Throughout his career, Dr. Bourgon has been dedicated to developing and implementing evidence-based practices aimed at reducing recidivism among justice involved individuals. Notably, he co-led Canada's Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision (STICS), and he has also been a central actor in the implementation of STICS across the Swedish probation and parole services. STICS is a training protocol for probation and parole officers aimed at increasing staff adherence to the Risk-Need-Responsivity model and providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement on a day-to-day basis. His work has significantly influenced community supervision practices, promoting the adoption of evidence-based methods to facilitate prosocial change among individuals under supervision.

Learning objectives
1) To give the participants knowledge about the RNR principles, its empirical support, and the implications for planning and conducting assessments and interventions for justice involved individuals.
2) To give the participants the necessary tools to plan and ensure adherence to the RNR principles in their crime preventive assessments and interventions.

Program
Day one will focus on the historical development of the RNR principles, what the RNR principles entail, in what contexts they are commonly implemented and their implications for clinical assessment and interventions.

Day two will focus on how to practically implement and adhere to the RNR principles in clinical practice across diverse populations to ensure effectiveness of crime preventive assessments and interventions.

Participants can expect a combination of presentations, case examples, and practical hands-on exercises.

Detailed Workshop Outline
Day 1
09.00-10.00: Breakfast
10.00-12.30: Introductions, expectations, & the RNR principles
12.30-13.00: Lunch
13.00-16.00: RNR: empirical support and its integration with theory, assessment, & interventions
16.00-16.30: Review of the day and closing remarks

(The schedule is tentative)

Day 2
08.30-09.30: Breakfast
09.30-12.00: Assessment – Relevant factors & tools for different populations
12.00-12.30: Lunch
12.30-15.45: Treatment – Key considerations & practical intervention techniques and tools
15.45-16.00: Review of the day and closing remarks

(The schedule is tentative)

Recommended literature
Bonta, J., & Andrews, D. A. (2024). Chapter 9: The Risk-Need-Responsivity Model of Assessment and Treatment. In J. Bonta & D. A. Andrews (Eds.), The Psychology of Criminal Conduct (Seventh). Routledge.
Bonta, J., Bourgon, G., & Rugge, T. (2017). From evidence-informed to evidence-based: the Strategic Training Initiative in Community Supervision. In Evidence-Based Skills in Criminal Justice. Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781447332961.003.0009
Bourgon, G., & Armstrong, B. (2005). Transferring the Principles of Effective Treatment into a “Real World” Prison Setting. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 32(1), 3–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854804270618
Bourgon, G., & Bonta, J. (2014). Reconsidering the Responsbility Principle: A Way to Move Forward. Fed. Probation, 78(3).
Bourgon, G., Chadwick, N., & Rugge, T. (2020). Beyond Core Correctional Practice. In The Wiley Handbook of What Works in Violence Risk Management (pp. 505–525). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119315933.ch26
Hanson, R. K. (2009). The psychological assessment of risk for crime and violence. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie Canadienne, 50(3), 172–182. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0015726