Dr Matt Frize, Ms Emily Webb, Mr Alejandro Avendano-Jones
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Forensic Disability Services Victoria, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
Biography:
Dr Matt Frize is the Director of Forensic Disability Services for the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (Victoria). Currently responsible for approximately 800 clients, Dr Frize has ample experience in producing and publishing forensic psychology research with expertise in the forensic disability field. Clinical, Educational and Developmental Psychologist (DocClinPsych; PhD; MPsych (Ed & Dev); BEc (Soc Sci)). Clinical Associate, Swinburne University of Technology.
Emily is the Senior Practice Leader within the Service and Practice Development team at Forensic Disability Services (Department of Fairness, Families and Housing). Emily is responsible for supporting the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of service delivery across the residential, clinical and disability justice teams that support clients in residential services, including the residential treatment facilities that deliver the Therapeutic Feedback Model. Emily has experience working in frontline and managerial roles in forensic disability services; child protection; offence-related programs in community groups; and supporting families of prisoners. Her academic pursuit in the field is marked by a bachelor’s degree in psychology and forensic science, with a minor in criminology and a Master of Forensic Behavioural Science.
Alejandro is the Manager of Practice and Service Development in Forensic Disability Services overseeing numerous projects and interventions within the sector. He holds a Professional Degree in Psychology (Javeriana University), a Master of Professional Psychology (Deakin University), and a Master of Forensic Mental Health (University of New South Wales). He has worked in forensic and correctional settings with roles in the management, assessment, treatment and supervision of individuals with complex needs in contact with the Criminal Justice System. Alejandro’s experience covers three separate jurisdictions including Canada, Colombia and Australia. Alejandro has completed research in psychometric testing and neurogenerative disorders.
Abstract:
In a space where psychology, criminal justice and disability intersect and often conflict, the fidelity of intervention programs presents unique challenges in the application and measurement of therapeutic approaches, more so in in secured environments. This paper explores the implementation and evaluation of the Therapeutic Feedback Model (TFM) delivered in Forensic Disability Services’ Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs). The TFM delivers compulsory specialist forensic intervention for people with cognitive disability convicted of serious sexual and violent offences with the goal of increasing participants' quality of life while reducing risk of recidivism. The TFM is underpinned by Positive Behaviour Support (Horner et al.,1990); Risk, Need, and Responsivity principles (Andrews, Bonta & Hoge, 1990); and the Good Lives Model (Ward, 2002), and delivered using a cognitive behavioural approach. While the model employs best practice and empirically driven approaches, evaluation must overcome the measurement of complex constructs and a range of systemic barriers to implementation.
The TFM specifies integrity indicators outlining the qualitative expectations of implementation, and quantitative outcomes measures. From participant entry to exit, the program measures behaviours of concern with the aim of these being reduced. Similarly, with post-release follow-up, the program measures reintegration variables including recidivism, housing, and employment. Alongside these results, the outcomes that the program continues to monitor aim to construct a thorough quantitative analysis and account for variables and barriers impacting the validity of the TFM.