Generic Correctional Programming for Mentally Ill Offenders

Abstract

This pilot study examined differences in criminal attitudes and hostile attribution biases among three groups of offenders diagnosed with serious mental disorders. It also compared the criminal outcomes for a sample of mentally ill offenders (MIO's) who completed a modified version of the Options cognitive skills program with a treatment-as-usual sample of MIO's. Results showed that pre- and posttest change scores for the Overgeneralization subscale of the Hostile Interpretations Questionnaire (HIQ), the Identification with Criminal Others subscale of the Criminal Sentiments Scale—Modified (CSS-M), and the HIQ Authority subscale differed between the groups of offenders with serious mental disorders. Participants identified for treatment by the pilot program (intended treatment group) and participants who completed the entire intervention had fewer arrests, including fewer arrests for violent offenses, but had higher technical probation violations than a treatment-as-usual comparison group.

Changing risk factors that impact recidivism: In search of mechanisms of change.

“…When change impacts a social dimension such as associates, this may be sufficient to reduce future recidivism. Comparing the present results to the only other four, adult, nonsex-offender, published within-treatment change studies, two of the studies had social dimensions related to a reduction in recidivism (Family Dissention, Wormith [1984]; Identification with Criminal Others, Ashford et al [2008]). Other treatment targets, such as antisocial attitudes, anger/hostility, personality disorders, and violent cognitions, may prime an individual for change, or may interact with other areas that are essential for change (i.e., therapist relationship), but are likely not a strong mechanism of change for reducing future recidivism.…”

“…Reductions in identification with criminal others approached statistical significance (r ϭ |.22|). Ashford, Wong, and Sternbach (2008), with a community sample of offenders with mental illness, used pre-/ postchange scores to a cognitive-behavioral/skills change program. The outcome measures were arrests and technical violations over a 12-month period.…”

A multi-site randomized controlled trial of a cognitive skills programme for male mentally disordered offenders: social–cognitive outcomes

“…Similarly, evaluations of other cognitive skills programmes with MDOs have reported improvements in social problem-solving and thinking styles (Tapp et al 2009), reductions in disruptive behaviour and violent attitudes , and lower arrest rates (Ashford et al 2008). Preliminary findings with MDOs are therefore encouraging.…”

New Frontiers for Conditional Release: Applying Lessons Learned from Other Offenders with Mental Illness

“…There is a lack of research on the effectiveness of the RNR model with insanity acquittees, yet there is reason to believe it could also be effective with this population. Existing research on RNR demonstrates its effectiveness with offenders who have serious mental health diagnoses (see Ashford, Wong, & Sternbach, ; Guebert & Olver, ; Stewart et al ., 2014; Vitopouos et al, ). In addition, risk factors for general and violent recidivism are similar for offenders with and without mental illness (Bonta, Blais, & Wilson, ; Bonta, Law, & Hanson, ).…”