NCJ Number
189557
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 498-514
Date Published
August 2001
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article reviews recent recidivism studies regarding 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.
Abstract
The review considered only program evaluations that used recidivism as an outcome measure. It included formally published evaluations, as well as unpublished research such as State and local government reports and research organization studies. The review sought the studies through computerized databases, contacts with researchers who had conducted evaluations in these areas, and contacts with experts in cognitive-behavioral treatment. The analysis used the Maryland Scale for Scientific Rigor to evaluate these studies for their methodological strength and for the program’s success in reducing recidivism. Results revealed that the programs’ originators conducted most evaluations and much research followed the same samples of offenders over a period of several years. These groups included drunk drivers, felony drug offenders, and general felony offenders. The analysis concluded that although the research was limited and the data were problematic, both Moral Reconation Therapy and Reasoning and Rehabilitation programs appeared to be successful approaches to reducing recidivism. Tables, notes, and 41 references (Author abstract modified)