Does the good lives model work? A systematic review of the recidivism evidence

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of good lives model (GLM) interventions on the recidivism outcomes of convicted offenders. Design/methodology/approach The review adhered to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis and Cochrane guidelines. Digital databases were searched and articles reporting outcomes of the GLM amongst convicted offenders and outcomes including recidivism data and pre-post measures of dynamic risk were included in a narrative synthesis. Findings Of 1,791 articles screened, only six studies met the criteria for review. Key findings were: in half the reviewed studies, GLM did not increase recidivism risk; in half the reviewed studies, only when the correct treatment dosage was applied that some evidence of risk reduction was found; there was limited support for GLM increasing or sustaining motivation for resistance from reoffending. Research for the review was limited and support for the GLM in reducing recidivism rates was not established. Practical implications In this 2021 review, the authors examined the efficacy of the GLM in reducing recidivism. This addresses a gap in the literature. The authors found that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that the GLM can reduce recidivism. This has implications for practitioners who wish to deliver evidence-based practices in prison/community settings. There is currently not enough peer-reviewed evidence to unequivocally confirm the efficacy of the GLM. The authors recommended additional quality programme outcome research be carried out. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to assess quantitative and qualitative studies on the efficacy of the GLM and provides foundations for future research.

A review and comparative analysis of the risk-needs-responsivity, good lives, and recovery models in forensic psychiatric treatment

“…In support of the GLM, by using a structural equation 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.988905 model the authors found a significant indirect path from QoL via mental health problems to offending; however, they found no support for a direct path from QoL to offending. In a recent review of six studies, Zeccola et al evaluated whether GLM-based interventions reduce recidivism in offenders (38). Four studies investigated the efficacy of the GLM in sex offenders; one study, in mentally disordered sex offenders (MDSOs); and one study, in violent offenders.…”

Do They Pose a Danger: Evaluation of the Recidivism Characteristics in China’s Community Corrections?

“…But not all offenders benefit from community corrections, and some offenders re-offend while undergoing community corrections. The causes of offender recidivism are varied [3] . For instance, it might be challenging to prevent offenders from recidivism as a result of behavioral mistakes impacted by social and cultural factors [4] .…”

Self-perceived views on offender rehabilitation in detained adolescent boys: a qualitative analysis in the context of the good lives model

“…However, it could be problematic to apply the GLM assumptions and principles, developed for adults, to young people without substantiation. That is, although the GLM seems promising in theory, little empirical research exists examining the underlying etiological assumptions, the applicability, and the effects of this model (but see e.g.,; Bouman et al, 2009;Netto et al, 2014;Van Damme et al, 2016;Barendregt et al, 2018;Loney and Harkins, 2018;Ryan et al, 2019;Mallion et al, 2020;Serie et al, 2020Serie et al, , 2021Zeccola et al, 2021;Serie, 2022).…”

“…For detained young offenders, empirical research is even more scarce (Netto et al, 2014;Fortune, 2018;Mallion et al, 2020;Zeccola et al, 2021). Two studies evaluated the assumptions of the GLM with, respectively, delinquent girls (Van Damme et al, 2016) and boys (Barendregt et al, 2018) in a residential institution.…”