Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the application of science into operational practice for services and programs for offenders. The goal in Virginia is to use practices that have been empirically tested and have been shown to reduce recidivism among offenders. Based on numerous studies and Meta analyses of offender rehabilitation programs, researchers have outlined a set of principles to guide the implementation of EBP.

The following documents define and discuss this topic and these principles more in detail and give the reader some overviews and indepth looks at this concept and some of practices that could be useful to Criminal Justice Practitioners in corrections:

1. Commonwealth of Virginia: Roadmap for Evidence-Based Practices in Community Corrections. April 2010 (.pdf, 26 pages)
   
   
2. Tools of the Trade: A Guide to Incorporating Science into Practice (.pdf, 100 pages) 2004
   
   
3. From Theory to Practice: What Works in Reducing Recidivism? (.pdf, 2 pages) 2006
   
   
4. Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Community Corrections: The Principles of Effective Intervention (.pdf, 21 pages) April 30, 2004
   
   
5. Legal and Evidence Based Practices: Application of Legal Principles, Laws, and Research to the Field of Pretrial Services (.pdf, 26 pages) April 2007
   
   
6. Pretrial Services and Evidence Based Practice (LEBP) (.pdf, 5 pages) April 16, 2007
   
   
7. Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (.pdf, 103 pages) May 2007
   
   
8. A Guide for Probation and Parole - Motivating Offenders to Change (.pdf, 117 pages) June 2007
   
   
9. Evidence Based Practices (EBP) Starter Kit (.pdf, 2 pages) November 1, 2007
   
   

Contact Information

Paula Harpster
Department of Criminal Justice Services
1100 Bank Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: 804.786.1140
Email