Hidden in Plain Sight: Youth Living with Complex Circumstances: An examination of the Risk Need Responsivity Rehabilitation Model’s ineffectiveness in preventing recidivism when addressing Youth Living with Complex Circumstances
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Authors
Campbell, Sonia L
Date
2025-09-26
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Youth Living with Complex Circumstances , Intersectionality , Risks Need Responsivity Rehabilitation Model , Youth Service Level/Case Management Inventory (YSL/CMI) , trauma informed , culturally compentent , culturally sensitive
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Abstract
This research examines the effectiveness of the Risk-Need-Responsivity (“RNR”) theoretical framework, specifically, the Youth Service Level/Case Management Inventory Assessment Tool (“YSL/CMI”) in preventing recidivism for Youth Living with Complex Circumstances and the role it plays in decision-making and sentencing within the youth criminal justice system. To build my argument and form my conclusions for this thesis, I reviewed case law, mostly cases adjudicated in the Province of Ontario, Canada, and literature from criminology, psychology, and sociology written by scholars from Canada, other Commonwealth countries and the United States of America. I argue that the YSL/CMI is less effective or ineffective at preventing recidivism for Youth Living with Complex Circumstances than with other youth. Youth Living with Complex Circumstances (YLCC) are a distinct group of youth whose daily life experience is comprised of several static and dynamic criminogenic and non-criminogenic needs. Applying the intersectionality framework, I argue that the intersection of the criminogenic and non-criminogenic factors creates this unique group of youth who have unique needs. To increase the likelihood of preventing recidivism, these unique needs must be identified, addressed and/or targeted for services, programming or treatment. Due to the YSL/CMI’s single axis analysis approach, this risk assessment tool does not capture some of these youths’ unique and critical needs. Therefore, it is often less effective at decreasing or preventing the likelihood of recidivism for these youth. Justice Participants often rely on the risk assessment findings and recommendations when making decisions about youth who are before the court. I recommend trauma informed assessment tools become part of the YSL/CMI assessment process. I argue that both assessment tools working in tandem will improve the accuracy of assessment findings and potentially improve the appropriateness of the recommendations. These improvements should increase the likelihood that decisions made about YLCC by Justice Participants and sentences imposed by the court are better informed and better aligned with the Youth Criminal Justice Act’s Declaration of Principle and the YCJA sentencing principles. Ultimately, this should increase the likelihood of reducing or preventing recidivism for YLCC.
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This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.