TY - JOUR
T1 - The rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders
T2 - The current landscape and some future directions for correctional psychology
AU - Wormith, J. Stephen
AU - Althouse, Richard
AU - Simpson, Mark
AU - Reitzel, Lorraine R.
AU - Fagan, Thomas J.
AU - Morgan, Robert D.
PY - 2007/7
Y1 - 2007/7
N2 - The treatment literature on offender rehabilitation is reviewed with the purpose of deriving further direction for researchers and clinicians in the field of correctional psychology. After addressing the measurement of recidivism and other indicators of effectiveness, this empirically guided article reviews individual studies and meta-analyses on effectiveness of psychosocial correctional treatment for adult offenders and specialized treatment for substance abuse offenders and sexual offenders. A foundation in the general principles of offender intervention is established; principles such as risk, need, and responsivity are upheld; and common themes including the use of cognitive-behavioral interventions and the importance of treatment integrity emerge. However, questions move beyond what works to detailed queries about the nuances of effective service delivery, including client motivation. Well-controlled clinical studies and detailed process evaluations are still required. Other new directions include the application of positive psychology to offender treatment and the improvement of conditions under which community reentry is more likely to succeed. Directions for further research on correctional treatment are suggested.
AB - The treatment literature on offender rehabilitation is reviewed with the purpose of deriving further direction for researchers and clinicians in the field of correctional psychology. After addressing the measurement of recidivism and other indicators of effectiveness, this empirically guided article reviews individual studies and meta-analyses on effectiveness of psychosocial correctional treatment for adult offenders and specialized treatment for substance abuse offenders and sexual offenders. A foundation in the general principles of offender intervention is established; principles such as risk, need, and responsivity are upheld; and common themes including the use of cognitive-behavioral interventions and the importance of treatment integrity emerge. However, questions move beyond what works to detailed queries about the nuances of effective service delivery, including client motivation. Well-controlled clinical studies and detailed process evaluations are still required. Other new directions include the application of positive psychology to offender treatment and the improvement of conditions under which community reentry is more likely to succeed. Directions for further research on correctional treatment are suggested.
KW - Cognitive-behavioral treatment
KW - Offender reintegration
KW - Offender treatment
KW - Positive psychology
KW - Sexual offender treatment
KW - Substance abuse treatment
KW - Therapeutic community
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34250812109&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0093854807301552
DO - 10.1177/0093854807301552
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34250812109
SN - 0093-8548
VL - 34
SP - 879
EP - 892
JO - Criminal Justice and Behavior
JF - Criminal Justice and Behavior
IS - 7
ER -