NCJ Number
199738
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2003 Pages: 1-4,25,27
Date Published
March 2003
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article evaluates the effectiveness of an inmate domestic violence treatment program by examining the participants’ rate of recidivism.
Abstract
More specifically, the authors were interested in determining whether batterer recidivism was a function of the interactive effect of the treatment program and either the educational background of the inmate or a previously identified learning disability. It was hypothesized that batterers with limited educational backgrounds or those who suffered from learning disabilities would benefit less from the treatment program and would, therefore, be more likely to recidivate. The reason for this hypothesis is that the treatment program is based on cognitive restructuring and involves classroom-type learning. Two hundred and seventy inmates incarcerated at Norfolk County Correctional Center for domestic violence offenses took part in the treatment program. Results of statistical analyses indicated that cognitive restructuring of batterers did indeed reduce recidivism after release from prison. However, the positive impact of the treatment program was mitigated by the inmates’ cognitive characteristics. Interestingly, the results indicate the opposite of the author’s hypothesis; inmates with learning disabilities tended to gain more positive results and recidivate less than other inmates with no learning disabilities. However, past educational attainment impacted recidivism in the direction the authors assumed, specifically, those inmates with a post-high school education gained the most from the treatment program. Future research should concentrate on a batterers motivation to enter an inmate treatment program, as motivation may play a key part in reducing recidivism in the long run. References