NCJ Number
164734
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1996) Pages: 523-541
Date Published
1996
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Data from 196 male offenders in a medium-security prison in Vermont formed the basis of an analysis of the impact of cognitive-behavioral therapy on recidivism during the 2 years after release.
Abstract
Fifty-five inmates of the Northwest State Correctional Facility voluntarily participated in a cognitive-behavioral treatment program, the Cognitive Self-Change program, which addressed thinking errors related to criminal behavior. One hundred forty-one offenders who did not take part in the treatment program served as a comparison group. The offenders were released to the community between June 1988 and February 1994. Results revealed a significant difference in recidivism between the groups. Fifty percent of the offenders from the treatment group and 70.8 percent of the comparison group recidivated. More favorable results for the treatment program were observed when these data were compared over the first, second, and third years after release. Findings are limited by the lack of random assignment to treatment, the use of recidivism as the sole outcome measure, and the homogeneity of the sample. Nevertheless, findings offer tentative support for the use of a treatment approach with incarcerated offenders that focuses on cognitive distortions supportive of criminal behavior. Further research is recommended. Figure, tables, and 44 references