Rehabilitation of Offenders

Research to assess effectiveness is very difficult

There is no relationship between serious crimes and capital punishment according to Hood 1996

Studies on deterrence (longer sentences) reveal that there is little effect on recidivism rates

A study by Gendreau et al 1999 found that in Canada longer sentences actually increased recidivism rates

Punishment based techniques are only likely to work if they are unavoidable, and if there are alternative behaviours for reaching a goal

General research findings show that...

It tends to have a positive effect on convicted offenders

The mean effect across interventions is little, but does include those that are weak or ineffective

There is a large variance, there is no one special way of treating offenders currently

Vocational training without good prospects for real life jobs is ineffective, as well as wilderness or outdoor challenging programmes

Most effective interventions seem to be well designed, high intensity community based ones

Cognitive behavioural programmes focused on risk factors are very effective

Assumes that the offenders are influenced by the environment and have learned maladaptive behaviours but failed to learn effective cognitive and behavioural skills that enable proper functioning within society

Both of these interventions involve using interpersonal skills, behavioural techniques, cognitive skills training and structured individual counselling for problem solving

The majority of violent offenders are reluctant to change

From general research we can gather that anger management does somewhat reduce aggression (mostly short term)

However more research is required

Enables the offenders health, safety and dignity to be protected

Reduces the long term detrimental effects that are placed upon society by preventing offenders from reoffending

To understand and learn about justice, that not every crime deserves a severe punishment

Ward, Mann and Gannon 2007

Specifies the aim of therapy

Justifies these aims based upon the assumptions of the cause and any related factors

Identifies clinical targets

Outlines treatment based on the above factors in addition to any goals

Specifies the most appropriate type of treatment, addresses motivation and educates the therapist about what attitude to have towards the offender

Ward and Gannon 2006

Three levels

Set of general principles that specify the values in regards to the rehabilitation and any other aims

Implications of assumptions for understanding and explaining offending and its functions

Treatment implications of focusing on goals, self-regulation strategies and ecological factors

Criminogenic necessities are obstacles which block acquisition of primary goods

The behaviours and/or strategies for keeping the goods are what is problematic, rather than the primary goods themselves