Are Cognitive Problem-solving Skills Programmes Really Not Working? A Response to "Evaluating Evidence for the Effectiveness of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation Programme"

• NCJ Number: 210539
• Journal: Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 44 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2005 Pages: 319-321
• Author(s): Robin J. Wilson
• Date Published: July 2005
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This article contends that previous research findings regarding the relative ineffectiveness of offender problem-solving skills programs may be incorrect.

Abstract

A recent study conducted by Wilkinson 2005 produced evidence that offender programs designed to improve problem-solving skills may be ineffective at reducing recidivism rates. These cognitive, problem-solving skills programs have been based on the widespread belief among researchers that offenders are involved in criminal activities because they lack adequate problem-solving skills. The current article reviews Wilkinson’s (2005) original study which compared problem-solving program participants to control subjects. The author argues that the results may be inaccurate because of the proliferation of cognitive-behavioral interventions within the corrections industry. As such, it is likely that Wilkinson’s (2005) control subjects had been exposed to aspects of problem-solving skills development in the course of their correctional programming, wiping out the validity of the comparative analysis performed in the original analysis. The author argues that simply being managed under a cognitive-behavioral framework, as most offenders are, offers offenders the opportunity to develop more sophisticated problem-solving skills. References