The American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies - Webinar

An Introduction to the Desistance Model for Criminal Justice Professionals (MEMBERS ONLY)

Presented by Joe Arvidson

This webinar is only available to members
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Webinar Objectives:

Briefly review the Risk-Needs-Responsivity Model and that state of correctional interventions today.
Be given an introduction to the various theories of Desistance from Crime.
Examine and discuss how to recognize and promote desistance correlates in the populations they work with.

Description:

This training event will introduce participants to the emerging model of Desistance from Crime. To fully understand and appreciate the theories that will be presented, participants will first be provided with a brief summation of the Risk-Needs-Responsivity model of offender supervision. The R-N-R model of supervision is utilized in the vast majority of correctional agencies around the world. It is indeed considered the gold standard of client reintegration. Yet it is not without its detractors. Critics note that because by its very nature, it is risk aversion model. That is, practitioners are taught to detect and address client risk factors in order to facilitate offender change. It is therefore viewed by some as a deficit-based approach to change. Conversely, desistance models focus on individual strengths to promote a crime-free life. Rather than focusing on commonalities in the lives of offenders (risk), the desistance approach looks at the process by which those who now lead a crime-free life attained that status. Interestingly, the research shows that desistance is not merely the absence of established risk factors. Although many view the established R-N-R model and the emerging desistance model as two competing schools of thought, this presentation will focus on and posit that they are in fact complementary. They are not so much opposing approaches as much as they are different points on a continuum e.g. crime acquisition vs. crime cessation.

A post-test, handout, and certificate of completion will be provided upon completion of this one-hour webinar.

Presenter Biography:

Joe Arvidson has been an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University St. Paul and Metropolitan State University since 2000, where he teaches on both the graduate and undergraduate level. He currently serves on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Concordia University. He has been employed in the field of Corrections for over 30-years. In his current role, Mr. Arvidson is responsible for strategic planning, program development, and making recommendations on policies, procedures, and services related to the implementation of evidence-based practices. He is also responsible for training and facilitating a variety of EBP’s, ranging from cognitive skills programs, motivational interviewing, and risk assessment. He is a Master Trainer of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory(LS/CMI) and trained in the administration of the Structured Dynamic Assessment Case Management (SDAC-21). Mr. Arvidson received both his B.A and M.S degrees from St. Cloud State University. He also attained a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from Metropolitan State University.

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