Effectiveness of a self-administered intervention for criminal thinking: Taking a Chance on Change.

Abstract

The current study tested the effectiveness of a self-administered, cognitive-behavioral intervention targeting criminal thinking for inmates in segregated housing: Taking a Chance on Change (TCC). Participants included 273 inmates in segregated housing at state correctional institutions. Reductions in criminal thinking, as assessed by the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Styles-Simplified Version, were found in the general criminal thinking score as well as the proactive and reactive composite scores. Examination of demographic predictors of change (i.e., age, years of education, length of sentence) revealed older and more educated participants decreased in criminal thinking more than younger and less educated participants. For a subset of 48 inmates, completion of TCC was associated with significant reduction of disciplinary infractions. Reductions in reactive criminal thinking predicted reductions in disciplinary infractions. Although further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of TCC in reducing recidivism, the reductions in criminal thinking and disordered conduct suggest this is a promising intervention and mode of treatment delivery. By utilizing self-directed study at an accessible reading level, the intervention is uniquely suited to a correctional setting where staff and monetary resources are limited and security and operational issues limit the feasibility of traditional cognitive-behavioral group treatment.

Predicting Future Intimate Partner Violence with Past Intimate Partner Violence: The Moderating Role of Proactive and Reactive Criminal Thinking

“…Proactive criminal thinking, like most forms of irrational cognition, lends itself to cognitive behavioral intervention, which research indicates is particularly effective in reducing offending in both juveniles and adults (Landenberger & Lipsey, 2005; Lipsey et al, 2001; Pearson et al, 2002; Wilson et al, 2005). In fact, several studies have specifically found that proactive criminal thinking responds to cognitive behavioral intervention (Folk et al, 2016; Warner et al, 2018).…”

Lengthy Prison Term as a Psychological Issue in the Penal System of the Russian Federation

“…At the same time, important and useful internal trends that contribute to convicts' rehabilitation, improvement of the effectiveness of educational, psychological and other activities in a correctional institution, on the contrary, fade away. The processes of rethinking one's actions, lifestyle, and social ties that led a person to commit a crime are replaced by increasing negative emotions and anger; criminal experience and criminal infection are formed [17]. Forced long-term coexistence with other convicts that differ in their social, moral, psychological, intellectual qualities, as well as the state of health, including mental health, leads to the development of negative features in the personality of convicts.…”

Separate Roles for State and Trait Anxiety in the Formation of SHU Syndrome: Testing a Moderated Mediation Hypothesis

“…A more realistic alternative would be to engage inmates in cognitive-behavior therapy as a way of enhancing their internal coping skills through stress and anger management and positive self-talk (Tafrate & Mitchell, 2014). Two programs developed specifically for inmates in restrictive housing, Taking a Chance on Change (Folk et al, 2016) and Stepping Up and Stepping Out (Batastini et al, 2021), have produced promising initial results using a cognitive-behavioral framework. The symptoms of SHU syndrome can also be managed by avoiding single-person cells in restrictive housing, as long as this does not put an inmate in jeopardy.…”