Research/Document Library

Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Cognitive Behavioral Program for Offenders on Probation: Thinking for a Change

This study evaluates the efficacy of a National Institute of Corrections developed cognitive behavioral program for adult offenders on probation, Thinking for a Change. One hundred male and 42 female medium and high-risk probationers were studied. Probationers assigned to Thinking for a Change were matched with a comparison group not assigned to the program. Group completers, group dropouts, and the comparison group were contrasted on the constructs the program is intended to affect: procriminal attitudes, social skills, and interpersonal problem solving skills. These areas were assessed with self-report measures, applied skill tests, and facilitator ratings. The groups were followed for three months to one-year after completion of the program and assessed for recidivism, as measured by new criminal offenses and technical violations of probation. Results show that new criminal offense rates for group completers were 33% lower than that for comparisons. There were no differences in technical violations between completers and comparisons. Group dropouts received a significantly higher number of technical violations that the completers or comparison groups. Being a group dropout, being classified as “high risk,” and having poorer interpersonal problem solving skills were all predictive of technical violations. On attitudinal measures, there were no differences among groups in pro-criminal sentiments. Social skills improved for both completers and dropouts but remained constant for comparisons. Group completers improved significantly in interpersonal problem solving skills after Thinking for a Change, while the dropout and comparison groups had no such gains. This study provides some encouragement for cognitive behavioral group treatment for offenders, as positive change was found for social and problem solving skills, and a trend toward reduced criminal activity was observed. However, change findings were not as strong as anticipated and more research in this area is necessary.

Available online

http://nicic.gov/

Author(s)

Lori Golden

Date

2002

Publisher

National Institute of Corrections