Cognitive‐behavioural treatment for imprisoned offenders: An evaluation of HM Prison Service's cognitive skills programmes

Abstract

Purpose. The effectiveness of prison‐based cognitive‐behavioural treatment programmes was evaluated using reconviction as the outcome measure. Method. Reconviction rates were compared between two groups of adult male offenders who were serving a custodial sentence of 2 years or more in Her Majesty's Prison Service, England and Wales. The treatment group (N =667) consisted of offenders who had voluntarily participated in one of two treatment programmes that targeted 'cognitive deficits' related to offending behaviour. The comparison group (N =1,801) was made up of offenders who had not participated in the treatment programme but were “matched” to the treatment group on a number of empirically relevant variables. Results. Treatment produced a robust reduction in the probability of reconviction (p < .001) when other relevant variables were controlled for. For treated offenders, the percentage point reduction in reconviction was 14% in medium‐lowrisk offenders and 11% in medium‐high‐risk offenders. Conclusion. These outcome results demonstrate that the principles of effective practice in the field of offender rehabilitation, which were identified through meta‐analytical research predominately in North America, can be applied to a UK offender population to similar effect.

Where has all the psychology gone?

“…This is not to say that current approaches are wholly ineffective. On the contrary, research evaluations indicate that cognitive skills programstypically facilitated by paraprofessionals-can lead to tangible reductions in undesirable behavior, negative thinking styles, and reconviction (Friendship, Blud, Erikson, Travers, & Thornton, 2003;Tapp, Fellowes, Wallis, Blud, & Moore, 2009). Yet there is room for significant improvement.…”

Evaluating a rugby sport intervention programme for young offenders

“…There were noticeable differences in responses given during these encounters in that no participants in the intervention (Travers, Wakeling, Mann, Hollin, 2013;Jolliffe, & Farrington, 2009;Friendship, Blud, Erikson, Travers, & Thornton, 2003 A concern often expressed regarding contact sports, is that they may encourage antisocial and aggressive behaviour (Jenkins & Ellis, 2011;Abbott & Barber, 2007;Endresen, & Olweus, 2005). This is partly because excessive exposure to 'macho' values and the normalising of violence in permitted rituals of play may enhance the expression of negative behavior in other settings.…”

A journey beyond the bars: Participants' experiences of psychological treatment in a prison setting

“…In an attempt to answer this complicated question numerous researchers have adopted quantitative, outcome focused evaluations of prison-based psychotherapeutic rehabilitation programmes (Friendship, Blud, Erikson, & Travers, 2002;Friendship, Blud, Erikson, Travers & Thornton, 2003;McGuire, 2002 andPolaschek, Wilson andTownsend, 2005) and have consistently argued in favour of the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) interventions in reducing re-offending rates. These studies provide evidence of treatment efficacy.…”

“…Consistent with the conventional trend in evaluative studies, preliminary reviews of these programmes had been outcomefocused, quasi-experimental, or randomised controlled trials centred on statistical analysis as the primary tenet by which to judge their effectiveness. These quantitative studies returned mixed results ranging from no obvious impact to a 14%reduction in re-offending rates over 24 months (Cann, Falshaw, Nugent & Friendship, 2003;Falshaw, Friendship, Travers & Nugent, 2003;Friendship et al, (2003).…”