NCJ Number
197656
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 27 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 1-4,30,32,34,35
Date Published
October 2002
Length
8 pages
Annotation
In this article, the Solomon Model is used to evaluate an institutional based rehabilitation program.
Abstract
Focusing on effective rehabilitation programs, this article describes and employs the Solomon Four-Group Model in order to evaluate an institutional-based rehabilitation program. Arguing that effective rehabilitation programs are becoming increasingly essential in order to combat recidivism, the author states that popular perception dictates that prison rehabilitation programs do not work. Introducing the Solomon Four-Group Model as a conventional experimental design used to estimate the treatment effect of a program, this article describes how the model was used to evaluate a cognitive-based Texas rehabilitation program called Turning Points. The objectives of the 12-week Turning Points program include helping offenders develop personal accountability, responsibility, input control, and anger management in order to overcome criminal thinking while creating positive attitudes, beliefs, and goals. Following a review of literature focusing on cognition and its effects on human behavior, the author discusses the results of using the Solomon Four-Group experimental model in order to evaluate the Turning Points program. Results of two-way ANOVA statistical analysis indicated that the completion of a cognitive intervention program, such as Turning Points, led to a reduction in pro-criminal attitudes and behaviors; while the behavioral results of the program were immediate, they were not long lasting. The author concludes that using the Solomon Model is an effective way to evaluate the Turning Points cognitive intervention program and that the program does appear to reduce pro-criminal attitudes among incarcerated offenders. References