Treatment programs that attend to offender risk, needs and responsivity factors have been associated with reduced recidivism. Sanctions without a rehabilitative component are ineffective in reducing offender recidivism. For this study, offenders receiving treatment while in an EM program were statistically matched on risk and needs factors to inmates who did not receive treatment services. Treatment was effective in reducing recidivism for higher risk offenders, confirming the risk principle of offender treatment. Results also reaffirmed the importance of matching treatment intensity to offender risk level and ensuring that there is a treatment component in intensive supervision programs. One practical implication of the observed treatment-by-risk interaction is the importance of carefully assessing offenders before treatment. Although EM demonstrated little effect on recidivism, it does provide prison officials with an option for releasing moderate-risk offenders into the community, minimizes public safety concerns and, when used as a condition of release, may increase the likelihood of offenders remaining in treatment. Tables, notes, references