Criminogenic needs in offenders who are eligible for behavioural interventions

The Reducing Recidivism policy programme [beleidsprogramma ‘Terugdringen Recidive (TR)], which was launched in 2002, was intended to reduce recidivism amongst adult offenders. To achieve this, the programme introduced an integrated approach in which various methods are used to reduce recidivism: an evidencebased risk and needs assessment tool (RISc), behavioural interventions that comply with certain quality criteria, good collaboration between probation services and the prison system, aftercare and a structural evaluation of the effects of this approach (see www.justitie.nl/recidive). Following the development of the above tools, the policy programme was concluded in 2006 and the prison and probation services have incorporated the approach and tools in their regular activities. The behavioural interventions that have been and will be developed within the framework of the Reducing Recidivism policy programme focus on changing socalled criminogenic needs. These are risk factors that characterise offenders or specific offender groups and which are related to offending behaviour (Camp & Gaes, 2005). The assumption is that targeting these criminogenic needs through behavioural interventions will make it possible to reduce recidivism amongst offenders. To be able to determine which behavioural interventions are needed and approximately how many offenders will be eligible for participation in behavioural interventions, it is necessary to gain a clear insight into the nature and extent of criminogenic needs among offenders.