Speakers
Parallel Workshops
This presentation explores the implementation of Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) within the French rehabilitation and probation services (SPIP) through the lens of the "Operational Practices Handbook" (RPO1), published in 2018. The RPO1 introduces the Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model, aiming to professionalise and harmonise probation officers' practices. However, the integration of this model into existing practices rooted in social and educational work raises concerns regarding its political, scientific, and professional implications. Using a mixed-methods approach, including 181 questionnaires and 42 semi-structured interviews with directors, probation officers, and psychologists from seven SPIPs, this research examines how the implementation has been carried out, its effects on practitioners, and the barriers and levers encountered. Findings reveal that while EBP are seen as an opportunity for professional growth, it can cause negative effects with insufficient consultation and guidance. The study emphasises the need for adaptability, flexibility, and support during the implementation process and calls for correctional administrations to bridge the gap between theoretical models and practical realities, valuing probation officers' experiential knowledge alongside scientific research.