Cognitive skills programmes for offenders

Abstract

Following the impact of the meta-analyses and 'What Works' in offender treatment, cognitive skills programmes for offenders have become widely used in both the community and in custody. This overview is primarily concerned with the issue of effectiveness: do cognitive skills programmes have an effect on reoffending? The extant evidence suggests that there are lower rates of reoffending among offenders who complete cognitive skills programmes. However, there is a debate in the literature as to whether this 'completion effect' is a real treatment effect or an artificial side-effect of the use of non-randomised research designs. The 'research design' view is considered in detail, leading to the conclusion that it is based on a less than convincing argument and that a pragmatic explanation (which does not exclude a treatment effect) for the completion effect is required.

Programma-integriteit en effectiviteit van EQUIP voor jongeren in justitiële jeugdinrichtingen in Nederland

“…Uit verschillende meta-analyses blijkt dat met name cognitieve gedragsprogramma's effectief zijn in het verminderen van recidive in vergelijking met gebruikelijke zorg of gedragsprogramma's (Hollin & Palmer, 2009;Landenberger & Lipsey, 2005;Pearson, Lipton, Cleland, & Yee, 2002). In deze effectiviteitsstudies is echter vaak weinig bekend over de manier waarop de interventie in de praktijk wordt uitgevoerd, oftewel de programma-integriteit van een interventie (Durlak & DuPre, 2008;Landenberger & Lipsey, 2005).…”

A journey beyond the bars: Participants' experiences of psychological treatment in a prison setting

“…Whilst quantitative evaluations and meta analyses of New Zealand-based criminogenic rehabilitation programmes and international offence-related treatment interventions are in abundance Hollin & Palmer, 2009;McGuire, 2002;Polaschek et al 2005;Smith, Goggin &Gendreau, 2001 andTong &Farrington, 2006) the same cannot be said for qualitative methodologies. Chwalisz, Shah and Hand (2008) observed that "Qualitative research methods have much to contribute to theoretical and applied knowledge in rehabilitation psychology.…”

“…The consistent message amongst researchers (Andrews & Bonta, 1998, Hollin & Palmer, 2009, McMurran & Theodosi, 2007and Tong & Farrington, 2006 is that failure to complete rehabilitative programmes is detrimental to the long-term wellbeing of the former participants, as it correlates with re-offending. McMurran and McCulloch (2007) contend that, in addition to the adverse interpersonal effects of non-completion for the individual participant, noncompletion holds particular relevance on a macro-level.…”

“…The consensus amongst more contemporary penologists and psychologists (e.g. Andrews, 1995;Andrews, Zinger, Hodge, Gendreau & Cullen, 1990;Cann, Falshaw, Nugent & Friendship, 2003;Dowden & Andrews, 1999;Falshaw, Friendship, Travers & Nugent, 2003;Garrett, 1985;Hollin & Palmer, 2009;Izzo & Ross, 1990;Lipsey, 1992;Lipsey, Chapman & Landenberger, 2001;Lipton, Martinson & Wilks, 1975;McGuire & Priestley, 1995;Polaschek et al (2005); Tong & Farrington, 2006;Wexler, Falkin &Lipton, 1990 andLab, 1989) is, that through the correct identification and targeting of an offender"s specific criminogenic (offence related) psychological determinants, and the implementation of appropriately targeted cognitive behavioural interventions, the likelihood of that offender reducing their proclivity for antisocial conduct is significantly increased.…”

“…However, in accordance with the age-old principles of Occam"s razor 1 , these conclusions should not be taken as guarantor for the unconditional effectiveness of all prison-based cognitive interventions. Ergo, researchers (Hollin & Palmer, 2009) support the ongoing inclusion of detailed evaluations of individual programmes in order to inform best practice. In 1974, Martinson"s (1974 paper "What Works: Questions and Answers on Prison Reform", painted a bleak picture of offender rehabilitation, concluding that the process is fundamentally flawed "…education…or psychotherapy at its best, cannot overcome, or even appreciably reduce the powerful tendency for offenders to continue in criminal behaviour…" (Martinson 1974, cited in Anstiss, 2003.…”