Evaluation Design of GLM+: Assessing the Impact of a Specialized Therapeutic Program
- Pavel X. Rakušan
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
As part of the GLM+ project, implemented by VOLONTÉ CZECH, o.p.s. in collaboration with experts from the General Directorate of the Prison Service of the Czech Republic (GŘ VS ČR), the National Institute of Mental Health (NÚDZ) and Pábení s.r.o., an evaluation design has been developed as a key tool for systematically monitoring the quality and effectiveness of a therapeutic program targeting perpetrators of sexually motivated criminal offenses without paraphilia. The goal is to verify whether this new approach genuinely improves participants’ quality of life and supports their successful reintegration into society.
About the Project
GLM+ builds on the INTENS project and is based on the Good Lives Model (GLM) (link), enhanced by specific elements of the so-called Zurich Resource Model and modules tailored to the needs of the target group. The project develops and pilot-tests a comprehensive therapeutic program and an integrated client support system across the prison service. GLM+ aims to introduce systemic changes in how this population is treated—especially by boosting motivation for personal change, reducing the risk of reoffending, and promoting healthy sexuality.
Evaluation Context
The project is being implemented under OPZ+ Call No. 03_23_051, which aims to verify whether new tools and services meet clients’ needs and improve their quality of life. The evaluation is formative in nature—designed to provide ongoing feedback throughout the project to allow timely adjustments to the program and its implementation. At the same time, it serves as a tool for professional reflection and lays the groundwork for broader dissemination of the program within the prison system.
Key Evaluation Questions
The evaluation design focuses on four central evaluation questions:
EQ1: To what extent is the GLM+ therapeutic program implemented in accordance with its operational manual and theoretical principles?
EQ2: What are the short-term effects of the GLM+ program on participants?
EQ3: What is the long-term impact of participation in the GLM program on recidivism rates?
EQ4: What are the effects of integrating risk assessment tools into professionals’ decision-making practice?
Approach to Evaluation
To assess program fidelity, the evaluation focuses on five standard dimensions: adherence, exposure, quality of delivery, participant responsiveness, and program differentiation.
Short-term effects will be evaluated through congruence analysis, using hypotheses grounded in a theory of change framework.
Long-term impact on recidivism will be assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and other statistical methods based on administrative data from the Prison Information System (VIS).
The use of standardized tools such as Static-99R, STABLE-2007, and ACUTE-2007 for risk assessment will also be analyzed in terms of their influence on the professional decision-making of staff.
Funding
The project is funded through the Operational Programme Employment Plus (OPZ+) and is scheduled to run from January 2025 to December 2027.
Evaluation activities are a key component of the project (KA4), with results to be published on an ongoing basis and used as a foundation for the potential systemic implementation of the program within the Czech Prison Service.
The complete documentation for the project update can be downloaded here:
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