Methodology for Evaluation of Supported Decision Making in Crime Prevention: Te Pae Oranga in New Zealand

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

The decision to refer an offender to a supported resolutions programme is mostly at the discretion of the arresting or custody suite officers. Inconsistencies in these decisions to offer this pathway to an offender have been observed, thereby resulting in inequities and difficulty in scaling outcome measures. However, an IT-supported system has been proven to be effective in monitoring and improving the quality of programme implementation and performance measurement for corrective actions. In the case of supported resolutions programme in New Zealand, such an IT-supported approach became necessary to support a consistent and effective decision-making process. Following the adoption of a decision support tool to support decisions on referral to Te Pae Oranga, the study presents a methodological framework adopted in the evaluation and outcome measures, standardise the referral process, ensure real-time corrective measures and integrate a risk assessment to the decision-making process. This methodological framework was developed for Te Pae Oranga, a supported resolutions programme based on a Kaupapa Māori paradigm and implemented by New Zealand Police and Department of Corrections. Broadly, the study contributes to the scholarship of programme design and evaluation of supported resolutions based on indigenous paradigm.

Author

• Femi Abikanlu, New Zealand Police