Correctional systems worldwide rely on structured risk-need-responsivity (RNR) frameworks to guide treatment planning and reduce reoffending. While risk assessment interviews are commonly conducted to support treatment planning, less attention has been paid to the relational dynamics that may shape offenders’ readiness for rehabilitation during the interviews. This study examines the role of rapport in influencing treatment readiness during RNR assessment interviews with sex offenders.
Eighty incarcerated male sex offenders participated in interviews conducted by 33 trained correctional professionals. Offenders completed treatment readiness ratings before and after interviews and rated the rapport levels with their interviewers after. Results showed that higher levels of perceived rapport were associated with significant increases in treatment readiness. Five themes of interviewer qualities such as a) Ensuring Professional Preparedness, Knowledge, and Competency, b) Protecting Safety and Rights, c) Maintaining Respect and Neutrality, d) Giving Attention, Support and Care, and e) Relating to Sexual and Cultural Identity demonstrated strong influence on treatment readiness.
Findings underscore rapport as a measurable and influential component of correctional practice, not merely a “soft skill.” Embedding rapport-building into assessment training can improve engagement, enhance needs identification, and strengthen pathways to rehabilitation. This study provides new evidence that how assessments are conducted matters as much as the tools themselves, with implications for practice, training, and policy.
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Boon Siang Kwek
Principal Psychologist, Ministry of Home Affairs Singapore, Singapore
Boon Siang Kwek is a Principal Psychologist with the Home Team Psychology Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs, holding the appointment of Deputy Director of the Crime and Forensic Psychology branch. Before his current appointment, he was with the Singapore Prison Service for more than 14 years. He held the appointment of Senior Assistant Director (Psychological Services Branch), leading a team of psychologists to conduct risk assessment and psychological intervention for sexual and violent offenders. In addition, he was involved in the design, development, evaluation, and conduct of group-based rehabilitation programmes for sexual and violent offenders in prison. Boon Siang graduated with a Master of Arts (Applied Psychology) from the National Institute of Education, Singapore, and received the Gold Medallist Award for his top performance in his cohort. Boon Siang is also an associate faculty of the Master of Psychology (Forensic) programme and serves as a member of the Psychology Programme Advisory Committee in Singapore University of Social Sciences. He is pursuing his PhD with the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. Recently, he published a co-edited book titled “Group Work in Correctional Rehabilitation".
