Cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation for high-risk violent offenders: an outcome evaluation of the violence prevention unit

J Interpers Violence. 2005 Dec;20(12):1611-27. doi: 10.1177/0886260505280507.

Abstract

Rehabilitation programs for adult violent offending are still novel, and few published studies examine the recidivism outcomes of those who complete such programs. This study describes a New Zealand prison program for high-risk violent men. The program is intensive and cognitive behavioral. Preliminary outcome data are presented for three indices during 2 or more years of follow-up: nonviolent reconviction, violent reconviction, and subsequent imprisonment. In comparison with untreated offenders, treated men were less likely to be reconvicted of a violent offense, and those who were took longer to fail. There was also a 12% difference in favor of the treated men on the two other indices, nonviolent reconviction and reimprisonment. The authors conclude that the program shows early promise and that further evaluation with a larger sample of treated men will be important in clarifying whether the program is having a differential impact on violent versus nonviolent offending.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Forensic Psychiatry / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New Zealand
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prisoners / psychology*
  • Prisoners / statistics & numerical data
  • Program Evaluation
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Sex Offenses / prevention & control
  • Sex Offenses / statistics & numerical data
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Violence / prevention & control*
  • Violence / psychology
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data*