Types Of Rehabilitative Needs

This topic explains:

• how each need is defined
• when to identify each need, and
• what programmes are available to target each need.

Violence propensity (VP)

What VP is

VP refers to the natural tendency or inclination to use violence against others. Violence is defined as either:

• physical violence, including destruction of property
• psychological violence, including threats and intimidation, or
• sexual violence.

Note: While all sexual offending can be viewed as a form of violence, sexual violence should only be identified when there is clear use of violence that could be considered a separate offence in its own right.

Family or domestic violence should be identified and treated as a specific type of violence (with different programmes)

Examples of VP

• Threatening a victim with a weapon
• Threatening a victim with physical harm if they do not comply
• Physically assaulting a victim to gain compliance
• Using restraints (e.g. rope, handcuffs) to obtain compliance, or
• Using force to deal with resistance.

When to identify VP

VP should always be identified when the offending is a violent offence or if any violent behaviour is linked to the offending.

Programmes

In terms of identifying programme/treatment options, there are three types of violence:

• family violence
• sexual violence
• other violence

Resources available to target VP could include:

• community stopping violence programmes (family violence)
• psychological counselling (sexual violence)
• departmental programmes (other violence) (MIRP/SRP – depending on Roc*RoI), and
• Montgomery House (other violence).

Alcohol and other drugs (AOD)

What AOD is

AOD refers to alcohol and other drug use.

What AOD is not

AOD does not refer to alcohol and other drug-related offending that does not specify use by the offender, for example:

• supplying alcohol to minors
• possession for supply, or
• theft of chemicals to manufacture drugs for profit.

Therefore, it would be incorrect to automatically identify AOD as a need if the offender refused to be interviewed and the offending did not specify use.

When to identify AOD

AOD should always be identified for direct alcohol-related offending (e.g. excess-breath alcohol).

AOD can also be identified in cases where:

• there is a clear link between the effects of alcohol and/or other drug usage and any offending. Links are usually related to either reducing inhibition or to negatively affecting judgement leading to poor or impaired decisions.
• the offending behaviour was primarily motivated by a desire to obtain drugs and alcohol for personal use, for example:
  • a burglary offence is specifically committed to obtain money to purchase alcohol and/or other drugs, or
  • a chemist shop is burgled to obtain drugs for personal use.
• the offender has been using illegal drugs in the company of other people who either actively or passively endorse the offender’s use of illegal substances.

Programmes

Resources available to target AOD could include:

• community alcohol and drug programmes (including residential)
• individual one-on-one alcohol and drug counselling, and
• departmental programmes (MIRP/SRP – depending on Roc*RoI).

Gambling

What gambling is

Gambling refers to both positive and/or negative gambling-related attitudes and behaviour that can be linked to an offence.

Examples of gambling as a rehabilitative need

• A theft is committed to enable gambling behaviour to take place.
• A domestic assault is committed after an offender loses at gambling.

When to identify this need

To identify this need, a clear association between the offender’s motivation to engage in an offence and their gambling desire needs to be established.

Note: No actual episode of gambling needs to have occurred leading up to the offence.

Programmes

Resources available to target gambling could include:

• community gambling programmes
• individual one-on-one gambling counselling, and
• departmental programmes (MIRP/SRP – depending on Roc*RoI).

Relationship difficulties (RD)

What RD is

RD specifically relates to relationship issues within close, interpersonal relationships.

RD reflects the absence of relationship skills, including the inability to helpfully manage negative relationship-related attitudes (thoughts and feelings).

Note: Relationships do not include casual acquaintances (e.g. irregular sexual liaisons).

When to identify RD

To identify RD, negative relationship-related attitudes need to be linked to the primary offence. RD can also be identified in cases where the offender’s absence of relationship skills in relation to a specific relationship situation (this can include partner, ex-partner, close and immediate family members) contributed to their primary offending behaviour.

Note:

• To assess this need, no actual episode of a relationship interaction needs to have occurred in the offending.
• If the offender’s partner/ex-partner, or close and immediate family member is the victim of their offending, consider whether family violence need is the predominant need rather than relationship difficulties.

Programmes

Resources available to target RD could include:

• relationship services
• family therapy/relationship counselling
• court approved family/relationship counselling, and
• departmental programmes (MIRP/SRP – depending on Roc*RoI).

Offence related sexual arousal (ORSA)

When to identify ORSA

ORSA should always be identified when the offending includes a sexual offence.

This rule is based on the assumption that every sexual offence has some degree of sexual arousal or sexual desire/excitement associated with it.

ORSA can also be identified in the absence of a sexual conviction when offence-related sexual attitudes and actions can be linked to the offending.

Example: Following a domestic burglary conviction, the offender acknowledged sexual excitement at the possibility of a sexual encounter while in the house.

Programmes

Resources available to target ORSA associated with offences against children could include:

• STOP programme
• SAFE programme
• psychological counselling/departmental psychologist.

Resources available to target ORSA associated with offences against adults could include psychological counselling/departmental psychologist.