Correctional Programs

Abstract

Rehabilitation of the criminal offender is a goal of the criminal justice system. A range of programs have been developed for incarcerated offenders, although availability of these programs is typically inadequate. Programs often focus on educational or vocational deficits or address problems that contribute to crime, such as criminogenic thinking or substance abuse. This chapter summarizes the findings from meta-analyses that examine the effectiveness of such correctional programs. Overall, the evidence suggests that correctional programs produce some benefit. The existing evidence most strongly supports the effectiveness of the following programs: group-based cognitive-behavioral programs for general offenders, group-based cognitive-behavioral programs for sex offenders, hormonal mediation treatment for sex offenders, and prison-based therapeutic communities for substance abusing offenders. The evidence for educational and vocational programs is promising. No programs were found to be detrimental in terms of future criminal behavior. Additional rigorous research is needed to better understand what changes within an offender treatment programs should try to bring about.