Abstract
The present quasi‐experimental study examined the impact of a brief training program based on the risk–need–responsivity (RNR) model on Turkish juvenile probation officers' (JPOs) punitive and rehabilitative attitudes toward justice‐involved youth and recidivism risk perceptions. Fifty‐nine JPOs were recruited through three probation offices in Istanbul, Turkey. Thirty‐six JPOs, who received a 1‐day training in the RNR model of offending behavior, were compared to JPOs in a wait‐list control condition (n = 23). Participants in both conditions completed surveys at baseline and 1‐week posttraining. Mixed‐factorial analysis of variances revealed a significantly higher decrease in JPOs' punitive attitudes from pre‐ to posttest, in the training condition compared to the control group, with a medium effect size. Rehabilitative attitudes decreased in both conditions, while recidivism risk perceptions did not change from pre‐ to posttest in either condition. Future research could expand on these promising results using a more intensive training program and a randomized‐controlled design in a larger sample of JPOs.
Highlights
TUNCER ET AL.The probation system in Turkey was established in 2005 (Yavuz, 2012) and the number of youth sentenced to probation has shown a sharp increase since
These POs are referred to as juvenile probation officers (JPOs), none of their training programs are designed to address the unique needs of youth under probation, nor are they based on research evidence regarding effective methods in reducing recidivism (Işık, 2016)
This study was designed as a pilot study (Stage I nonrandomized trial; Rounsaville, Carroll, & Onken, 2001) to develop and test the immediate impact of the RNR‐based training program for JPOs in Istanbul, Turkey
Summary
TUNCER ET AL.The probation system in Turkey was established in 2005 (Yavuz, 2012) and the number of youth sentenced to probation has shown a sharp increase since . Around 4,000 probation officers (POs) supervise the increasing number of probationers in Turkey (Işık, 2016). Youth under probation are primarily assigned to 1,600 POs who have attended a limited number of brief professional training programs on substance abuse, anger management, and motivational interviewing. These POs are referred to as juvenile probation officers (JPOs), none of their training programs are designed to address the unique needs of youth under probation, nor are they based on research evidence regarding effective methods in reducing recidivism (Işık, 2016). The ultimate goal of the juvenile probation system is to execute a youth’s sentence in the community and to lower the risk of future offending (TMJ, 2018)
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