In the past four months, together with my colleague, Tyrone Mattison, we had been conducting a series of lectures to introduce and promote the concept of criminogenic risk assessments in the Philippine correctional and criminal justice system. Participants include jail officers, parole and probation officers, court actors, civil society workers, non-governmental organization volunteers, and barangay officers. The participants were able to appreciate the value of understanding the causes of criminal behavior and how it is related to criminogenic risks and needs assessments. In the jail setting, it helps them determine housing placements and conduct intervention programs. In the parole and probation setting, it helps them determine level of supervision and provide after care services. For NGOs and Barangay workers, it provides them mechanisms on how to collaborate with the reintegration of the individuals released from jails and prisons. And for court actors, it provides them a basis for release on recognizance, community service and other mechanisms of alternatives to pretrial detention and incarceration.
Modesty aside, the participants had fully endorsed the training program. They see the potential of the criminogenic risk assessment as a tool to improve the criminal justice system in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and equity. It has also the potential to improve public safety and will elevate the profile and legitimacy of the criminal justice system.
Prodded by this success, we are offering the fourth batch of this training program.
Those interested may enlist here:
Proceeds of the training program will be used to support the Community Bail Bond Program.
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