Treating Drunk Drivers With Moral Reconation Therapy: A Three-Year Report

Abstract

115 DWI-convicted male inmates were treated with the cognitive behavioral system of Moral Reconation Therapy during their incarceration. Three years after their release, subjects' postrelease arrest and reincarceration records were collected. In the treated group, 24 subjects participated in an extended aftercare program and were compared to a control group of 65 DWI-convicted inmates who did not enter treatment due to limited bed space. Analysis showed reincarceration rates of 36.9% for the 65 controls, 22.6% of the 115 treated subjects, and only 16.7% of the 24 aftercare clients.

A Quantitative Review of Structured, Group-Oriented, Cognitive-Behavioral Programs for Offenders

“…The second high-quality quasi-experimental design evaluated the effects of MRT on convicted drunk drivers in a southern state (Little & K. D. Robinson, 1989;Little, K. D. Robinson, & Burnette, 1990, 1991a, 1993aLittle, K. D. Robinson, Burnette, & Swan, 1995a). The study included 115 convicted drunk drivers in a county jail who agreed to participate in a treatment program compared with 65 convicted drunk drivers who volunteered but were not selected due to limited treatment slots.…”

Evaluating the effectiveness of Moral Reconation Therapy with the juvenile offender population

“…Similar to Robinson (1989b, 1989c) and Little et al (1990Little et al ( , 1991b participants, and showed desirable significant increases for principled reasoning, similar to the results for those in The Drug Abuse Unit.…”

“…The researchers neglected to include statistical testing to determine differences of recidivism between the treatment, control, and aftercare groups. Little, Robinson, and Burnette (1991b) found similar results to Little et al (1990). Of the original 115 MRT participants, 24 participated in aftercare services ranging from three to 12 months following release from incarceration (see Table 7).…”

“…MRT research with juvenile offenders, studies examining the effectiveness of MRT with adults provides for a greater understanding of MRT's overall effectiveness. Little and Robinson (1989b) and Little, Robinson, and Burnette (1989c, 1991b Test. The previously identified assessments were completed on the start day of the (MRT) DWI program and again on the day prior to discharge.…”

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

“…Drunk drivers. Little and Robinson, along with other colleagues, conducted five follow-up studies of the same group of drunk drivers at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 42 months, and 6 years (Little & Robinson, 1989c;Little, Robinson, & Burnette, 1990, 1991b, 1993bLittle, Robinson, Burnette, & Swan, 1995b). This sample consisted of 115 driving-while-intoxicated offenders who received MRT during their incarceration and 65 driving-while-intoxicated offenders who applied for the program but were unable to participate due to limited space.…”