The Relationship Between Matching Service to Criminogenic Need and Recidivism in Male and Female Youth

Abstract

Research supports rehabilitative programming that recognizes youth’s level of risk to reoffend and addresses their criminogenic needs and responsivity factors. The risk–need–responsivity (RNR) framework takes a gender-neutral approach that critics assert overlooks the unique needs of female offenders. While matching treatments to RNR principles has been shown to reduce recidivism for male youth, it is unclear whether the same is true for female youth. Comparative analyses of 39 male and 37 female justice system–involved youth indicated that across RNR categories, females and males were similar in the quality and quantity of criminogenic needs and had these needs met through probation services at a similar rate. However, while the RNR assessment tool predicted recidivism equally well for male and female youth, the matching of services to RNR factors was significantly associated with reduced reoffending for boys but not for girls. Implications of the findings for theory and practice are discussed.