NCJ Number
207196
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 9 Issue: 6 Dated: September-October 2004 Pages: 645-673
Editor(s)
Vincent B. Hasselt,
Michel Hersen
Date Published
September 2004
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This article examines the multifactor offender readiness model (MORM) and discusses implications of the model for both assessment of offenders and for modification of low readiness.
Abstract
Research has shown that rehabilitation programs for offenders, when they adhere to general principles of program design and delivery, will achieve significant reductions in recidivism. The authors suggest that even greater reductions in recidivism can be achieved when treatment readiness is addressed at the level of the individual offender, the program, and the context. They note that while the responsivity principle focuses on obstacles or what is preventing treatment engagement, readiness is concerned with the conditions required for treatment engagement. This article examines the multifactor offender readiness model (MORM) and its major underlying assumption, that treatment readiness of offenders is a function of both internal (person) and external (context) factors. Internal readiness consists of cognitive, affective, behavioral, volitional, and personal/social identity factors, while external readiness consists of circumstances, location, opportunities, resource, support, and program/timing factors. It is the presence of these characteristics which is likely to promote engagement in therapy and which, thereby, is likely to enhance therapeutic change. Given that the authors’ definition of readiness incorporates client, program, and setting factors, it follows that increasing readiness can occur by modifying any or all of these factors. The authors believe that offenders with low readiness across multiple areas will be those that either do not complete treatment or for whom treatment does not impact on their offending. References and 1 figure