The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Adult Offenders: A Methodological, Quality-Based Review

Abstract

Previous research on cognitive skills treatment programs has not included a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of these programs in reducing recidivism. This article reviews recent recidivism studies for two rehabilitation programs: Moral Reconation Therapy, which attempts to reduce recidivism by increasing the moral reasoning abilities of offenders, and Reasoning and Rehabilitation, which aims to educate offenders to change underlying criminogenic thoughts and attitudes. Using the Maryland Scale for Scientific Rigor, these studies were evaluated for their methodological strength and for the program's success in reducing the recidivism of offenders. In considering the findings and the strength of the methods for each program, this review concludes that Moral Reconation Therapy and Reasoning and Rehabilitation programs appear to be successful approaches to reducing recidivism. NOTE: This investigation was supported in part by a contract from the State of Washington Legislature, Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. Points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the State of Washington Legislature or the University of Maryland.

Treating Drug-Abusing Women Prisoners: an Outcomes Evaluation of the Forever Free Program

“…Most of the treatment studies included in the meta-analysis were directed toward improving general life skills (life skills training) or criminal thinking and social skills (reasoning and rehabilitation). Another review (Allen, MacKenzie, & Hickman, 2001) focused on two types of cognitive-behavioral approaches toward treatment for offenders, namely, moral reconation therapy (an approach designed to improve the moral reasoning of offenders) and reasoning and rehabilitation. The research on moral reconation therapy, when analyzed for scientific rigor, was found to be methodologically weak, making it difficult to draw conclusions about its effect on reincarceration.…”

Influence of Perceived Coercion and Motivation on Treatment Completion and Re-Arrest among Substance-Abusing Offenders

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Second, drug treatment provided to offenders has at least moderate effects in reducing drug use and criminal activity and in improving other areas of social functioning. [12][13][14][15][16] Finally, coerced clients and those who may not recognize or acknowledge that they have a drug problem can, through treatment participation and interaction with other clients, become engaged in treatment and do as well as voluntary clients. 17,18 Although the three assumptions do have empirical support, much more remains to be known about the external pressures and the internal perceptions of coerced treatment to determine the conditions under which coerced treatment is effective, to ensure that as many clients as possible benefit from treatment and to use treatment and criminal justice resources efficiently.…”

Evaluation of CHANGE, an Involuntary Cognitive Program for High-Risk Inmates

“…In particular, therapy needs to address both the mind and the emotions of the offender, and the assumptions that have been formed to guide his/her behavior (Scott, 1998). To date, the research has shown cognitive-based programming is the most promising (Allen, MacKenzie, & Hickman, 2001;Andrews & Bonta, 2003;Baro, 1999;Van Voorhis & Lester, 2007).…”