What is also referred to as criminogenic needs?

The term "criminogenic needs" refers specifically to dynamic risk factors that contribute to an individual's likelihood of reoffending. These are needs that can change over time and are influenced by various circumstances and interventions. Examples of criminogenic needs include factors such as antisocial behavior, substance abuse, lack of education or employment, and poor family or community support.

Dynamic risk factors are important in the context of juvenile justice because they allow for the identification of areas where intervention can be effective. By targeting and addressing these needs, juvenile justice officers can help facilitate positive changes in behavior and reduce the risk of future criminal activity.

The other concepts, such as static risk factors, typically include characteristics that do not change over time (like prior convictions or age), which do not fall under the label of criminogenic needs. Preventive measures focus more on strategies to avoid crime rather than addressing specific risks, and environmental factors are broader contexts that might influence behavior but are not necessarily categorized as criminogenic needs. Thus, dynamic risk factors are the most accurate description of what criminogenic needs entail.