This report by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy presents definitions for "evidence-based" and "research-based" programs for adult corrections in the State, as well as an inventory of evidence-based and research-based programs for use by the State's Department of Corrections.
"Evidence-based" is defined as "A program or practice that has been tested in heterogeneous or intended populations with multiple randomized and/or statistically controlled evaluations, or one large multiple-site randomized and/or statistically controlled evaluation, where the weight of the evidence from a systematic review demonstrates sustained improvements in recidivism or other outcomes of interest." Further, "evidence-based" means "a program or practice that can be implemented with a set of procedures to allow successful replication in Washington and, when possible, has been determined to be cost-beneficial." "Research-based" is defined as "a program or practice that has been tested with a single randomized and/or statistically controlled evaluation demonstrating sustained desirable outcomes or where the weight of the evidence from a systematic review supports sustained outcomes as identified in the term 'evidence-based' but does not meet the full criteria for 'evidence-based.' Regarding the inventory of evidence-based and research-based programs, two programs were identified that were not previously included in the State's inventory. The two programs involved sex offender treatment in the community and Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS). The latter program is a specific method of delivering community supervision based on the principles of "Risk, Need, and Responsivity" (RNR). A table provides information on other programs in the State's inventory of evidence-based and research-based programs for adult corrections. 4 exhibits