Program Development Unit

Program Development is a unit within the Georgia Department of Corrections mandated to reduce recidivism by providing research-based programs.

Goals

• Provide constitutionally mandated or legally required programs
• Implement evidence-based programs that target crime-producing behavior
• Focus on changing criminal thinking and reducing criminal behavior
• Standardize "best correctional practices" in Georgia

How are offenders identified and selected for interventions?

• An assessment process identifies an offender's risks and needs.

Why is assessment important?

• Assessment provides objective and empirically validated evaluations of an offender's risk/needs.
• Assists in decision-making processes regarding placement, security levels, and case planning.
• Addresses the offender’s risk/needs and matches the offender to the identified level of services.
• To ensure high risk/need offenders are prioritized for services.
• To ensure high and low risk/need offenders are programmed separately.

What is the current risk/needs assessment?

The Next Generation Assessment (NGA) is an automated program assessment instrument based on data currently found within SCRIBE – CHRI (GCIC) – PAROLE databases.

Results

• Match offender to programming based on results of assessment
• Separate Risk/Need Scales for male and female offenders
• Update the programming referral list
• Generate Offender Program Plan
• Scoring is based on Risk/Need Matrix

NGA is a reliable predictor, however each scale is a screener not a full blown assessment therefore some offenders with indicators of more serious needs will require other assessment to follow-up on identified risk factors.

What are the primary targets of effective offender interventions?

• Criminal thinking
• Substance use
• Education
• Employment

What is the fiscal benefit of implementing interventions that target crime-producing behavior?

• Reduction in recidivism results in a savings to the taxpayers of potentially millions of dollars.

Who are our partners?

• Federal agencies
• State and county agencies
• Non-profit and community-based organizations