SpringerLink
Log in

Common Psychological Treatments Used to Address Criminal Behavior

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Clinical Forensic Psychology

  • 2427 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter focuses on psychological treatments (The term treatment is deliberately chosen since these activities are often delivered by psychologists, often in isolation from other rehabilitation activities, and the core focus closely resembles cognitive-behavioral therapy.) approaches for people convicted of violent and sexually violent offences. These are among the most interpersonally harmful of criminal behaviors and a large proportion of people incarcerated around the world have been convicted of these types of offences. After describing the common features of these treatments, we summarize evidence regarding their effectiveness before considering limitations to extant knowledge and specifying some ways in which the relevant evidence-base might be strengthened.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free ship** worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. 1.

    Most offender treatment outcome research has focused on criminal recidivism as the primary outcome. We note that there is likely to be benefit in broadening outcomes so that they include wellbeing, engagement with social and family, education and employment, and other markers of successful reintegration.

  2. 2.

    However, when Papalia et al. (2019) pooled the effects for AM programs in their meta-analysis (three studies), the result was a statistically significant reduction in violent recidivism overall.

References

  • Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (1994). The psychology of criminal conduct. Cincinnati, OH: Anderson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, D. A., Bonta, J., & Wormith, J. S. (2011). The risk-need responsivity model: Does the Good Lives Model contribute to effective crime prevention? Criminal Justice and Behavior, 38, 735–755. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854811406356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anthony, W. (1993). Recovery from mental illness: The guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990s. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 16(4): 11–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, G. C., Hyatt, J. M., & Sherman, L. W. (2017). Even a little bit helps: An implementation and experimental evaluation of cognitive-behavioral therapy for high-risk probationers. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 44, 611–630. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854816673862

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, S. (1998). The montgomery house violence prevention programme: An evaluation. Department of Corrections Psychological Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, S. (2003). Stop** violent offending in New Zealand: Is treatment an option? New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 32, 92–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowes, N., McMurran, M., Evans, C., Oatley, G., Williams, B., & David, S. (2014). Treating alcohol-related violence: A feasibility study of a randomized controlled trial in prisons. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 25, 152–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortoni, F., Nunes, K., & Latendresse, M. (2006). An examination of the effectiveness of the Violence Prevention Program. Correctional Service of Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Covington, S. (2013). Beyond violence: A prevention program for women. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cullen, A. E., Clarke, A. Y., Kuipers, E., Hodgins, S., Dean, K., & Fahy, T. (2012). A multisite randomized trial of a cognitive skills program for male mentally disordered offenders: Violence and antisocial behavior outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80, 1114–1120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daffern, M., Simpson, K., Ainslie, H., & Chu, S. (2017). The impact of an intensive inpatient violent offender treatment programme on intermediary treatment targets, violence risk and aggressive behaviour in a sample of mentally disordered offenders. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14789949.2017.1352014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day, A. (2020). At a crossroads? Offender rehabilitation in Australian prisons. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2020.1751335

  • Day, A., Ross, S., Casey, S., Vess, J., Johns, D., & Hobbs, G. (2019). The intensity and timing of sex offender treatment. Sexual Abuse, 3(4), 397–409. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063217745069

  • Davidson, K. M., Tyrer, P., Tata, P., Cooke, D., Gumley, A., Ford, I., Walker, A., Bezlyak, V., Seivewright, H., Robertson, H., & Crawford, M. J. (2009). Cognitive behaviour therapy for violent men with antisocial personality disorder in the community: An exploratory randomized controlled trial. Psychological Medicine, 39(4), 569–577.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deming, A., & Jennings, J. L. (2020). The absence of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in the treatment of sexual abusers: Recommendations for moving towards the use of a true EBP model. Sexual Abuse, 32(6), 679–705. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063219843897

  • Dennis, J. A., Khan, O., Ferriter, M., Huband, N., Powney, M. J., & Duggan, C. (2012). Psychological interventions for adults who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007507.pub2

  • Dowden, C., Blanchette, K., & Serin, R. (1999). Anger management programming for federal male inmates: An effective intervention. Canada: Research Branch, Correctional Service Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowden, C., & Serin, R. C. (2001). Anger management programming for offenders: The impact of program performance measures. Correctional Service of Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gannon, T. A., Olver, M. E., Mallion, J. S., & James, M. (2019). Does specialized psychological treatment for offending reduce recidivism? A meta-analysis examining staff and program variables as predictors of treatment effectiveness. Clinical Psychology Review. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101752

  • Goodman-Delahunty, J., & O’Brien, K. (2014). Parental sexual offending: Managing risk through diversion. Trends amp; Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice (No. 482), 1–9. Retrieved from http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi482.pdf

  • Hanson, R. K., & Bussie`re, M. T. (1998). Predicting relapse: A metaanalysis of sexual offender recidivism studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 348–362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K. (2002). Recidivism and age: Follow-up data from 4,673 sexual offenders. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(10), 1046–1062. https://doi.org/10.1177/088626002236659

  • Hanson, R. K., Bourgon, G., Helmus, L., & Hodgson, S. (2009). The principles of effective correctional treatment also apply to sexual offenders: A meta-analysis. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 36(9), 865–891. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854809338545

  • Harrison, J. L., O’Toole, S. K., Ammen, S., Ahlmeyer, S., Harrell, S. N., & Hernandez, J. L. (2020). Sexual offender treatment effectiveness within cognitive-behavioral programs: A meta-analytic investigation of general, sexual, and violent recidivism. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 27(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2018.1485526

  • Henning, K. R., & Frueh, B. C. (1996). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of incarcerated offenders - An evaluation of the Vermont Department of Corrections’ cognitive self-change program. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 23, 523–541. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854896023004001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Higgs, T., Cortoni, F., & Nunes, K. (2018). Reducing violence risk? Some positive recidivism outcomes for Canadian treated high-risk offenders. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 46(3), 359–373. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854818808830

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogan, N. L., Lambert, E. G., & Barton-Bellessa, S. M. (2012). Evaluation of CHANGE, an involuntary cognitive program for high-risk inmates. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 51, 370–388. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509674.2012.664254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, G. V. (1993). Anger management program outcomes. Forum on Correctional Research, 5, 5–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, J. L. (2008). Treatment approaches for violence and aggression: Essential content components. In J. L. Ireland, C. A. Ireland, & P. Birch (Eds.), The assessment, treatment and management of violent and sexual offenders (pp. 153–178). Willan Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, J. L., & Deming, A. (2017). Review of the empirical and clinical support for group therapy specific to sexual abusers. Sexual Abuse, 29(8), 731–764. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063215618376

  • Jolliffe, D., & Farrington, D. P. (2007). A systematic review of the national and international evidence on the effectiveness of interventions with violent offenders. Ministry of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, H. Y. (2017). Statistical notes for clinical researchers: Chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test. Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, 42(2), 152–155. https://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2017.42.2.152

  • Klepfisz, G., O’Brien, K., & Daffern, M. (2014). Violent offenders’ within-treatment change in anger, criminal attitudes, and violence risk: Associations with violent recidivism. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 13(4), 348–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2014.951107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klepfisz, G., Daffern, M., & Day, A. (2016). Understanding dynamic risk factors for violence. Psychology, Crime & Law, 22(1–2), 124–137. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2015.1109091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klepfisz, G., Day, A., & Daffern, M. (2017). Understanding protective factors for violent reoffending in adults. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 32, 80–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2016.12.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kubiak, S., Fedock, G., Kim, W. J., & Bybee, D. (2016). Long-term outcomes of a RCT intervention study for women with violent crimes. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 7, 661–679. https://doi.org/10.1086/689356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinson, R. (1974). What works? Questions and answers about prison reform. The Public Interest, 35, 22–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, E. L., & McGuire, J. (2003). Effect sizes in the treatment of sexual offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 47(6), 653–663. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X03256663

  • Marshall, W. L., & Marshall, L. E. (2010). Attachment and intimacy in sexual offenders: An update. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 25(1), 86–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681991003589568

  • Marshall, L. E. (2020). The utility of treatment for sexual offenders. In J. Proulx, F. Cortoni, L. A. Craig, & E. J. Letourneau (Eds.), The Wiley handbook of what works with sexual offenders: Contemporary perspectives in theory, assessment, treatment, and prevention. John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mallion, J. S., Wood, J. L., & Mallion, A. (2020). Systematic review of ‘Good Lives’ Assumptions and interventions. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2020.101510

  • McGuire, J. (2013). ‘What works’ to reduce re-offending: 18 years on. In L. A. Craig, L. Dixon, & T. A. Gannon (Eds.), What works in offender rehabilitation: An evidence-based approach to assessment and treatment (pp. 20–49). Wiley-Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meichenbaum, D. (1985). Stress inoculation training. Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mews, A., Di Bella, L., & Purver, M. (2017). Impact evaluation of the prison-based core sex offender treatment programme. Ministry of Justice. http://herzog-evans.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/UK-PROGRAMMES-STOPREPORT-NEGATIVE-FINDINGS.pdf

  • Motiuk, L., Smiley, C., & Blanchette, K. (1996). Intensive programming for violent offenders: A comparative investigation. Forum on Correctional Research, 8, 10–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Novaco, R. W., Ramm, M., & Black, L. (2001). Anger treatment with offenders. In C. R. Hollin (Ed.), Handbook of offender assessment and treatment (pp. 281–296). Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, K., & Daffern, M. (2016). The impact of pre-treatment responsivity and treatment participation on violent recidivism in a violent offender sample. Psychology, Crime & Law, 22(8), 777–797. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2016.1181177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olver, M. E., Marshall, L. E., Marshall, W. L., & Nicholaichuk, T. P. (2020). A long-term outcome assessment of the effects on subsequent reoffense rates of a prison-based CBT/RNR sex offender treatment program with strengthbased elements. Sexual Abuse, 32(2), 127–153. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063218807486

  • Papalia, N., Spivak, B., Daffern, M., & Ogloff, J. R. P. (2019). A meta‐analytic review of the efficacy of psychological treatments for violent offenders in correctional and forensic mental health settings. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12282

  • Petrosino, A., Turpin-Petrosino, C., Hollis-Peel, M. E., & Lavenberg, J. G. (2013). ‘Scared Straight’ and other juvenile awareness programs for preventing juvenile delinquency. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002796.pub2

  • Polaschek, D. L. (2011). High-intensity rehabilitation for violent offenders in New Zealand: Reconviction outcomes for high- and medium-risk prisoners. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26, 664–682. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260510365854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polaschek, D. L., Yesberg, J. A., Bell, R. K., Casey, A. R., & Dickson, S. R. (2016). Intensive psychological treatment of high-risk violent offenders: Outcomes and pre-release mechanisms. Psychology, Crime & Law, 22(4), 344–365. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2015.1109088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polaschek, D. L. L., Wilson, N. J., Townsend, M. R., & Daly, L. R. (2005). Cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation for high-risk violent offenders - An outcome evaluation of the violence prevention unit. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20, 1611–1627. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260505280507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman, S., Poynton, S., & Wan, W.-Y. (2018). The effect of the Violent Offender Treatment Program (VOTP) on offender outcomes. Crime and Justice Bulletin: Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice, 216, 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, D., & Porporino, F. J. (2001). Programming in cognitive skills: The reasoning and rehabilitation programme. In C. R. Hollin (Ed.), Handbook of offender assessment and treatment (pp. 179–193). Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serin, R. C., Gobeil, R., & Preston, D. L. (2009). Evaluation of the persistently violent offender treatment program. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 53(1), 57–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmucker, M., & Lösel, F. (2015). The effects of sexual offender treatment on recidivism: An international meta-analysis of sound quality evaluations. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 11, 597–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-015-9241-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarrier, N., Dolan, M., Doyle, M., Dunn, G., Shaw, J., & Blackburn, R. (2010). Exploratory randomised control trial of schema modal therapy in the Personality Disorder Service at Ashworth Hospital. Ministry of Justice.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, M. F., & Hoaken, P. N. S. (2017). The potential for a skills-based dialectical behavior therapy program to reduce aggression, anger, and hostility in a Canadian forensic psychiatric sample: A pilot study. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 16, 215–226. https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2017.1315469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, T., & Mann. R. (2004). Good lives and the rehabilitation of offenders: A positive approach to treatment. In P. A. Linley, & S. Joseph (Eds.), Positive psychology in practice, Wiley, NY: New Jersey. pp. 598–616.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ware, J., Cieplucha, C., & Matsuo, D. (2011). The Violent Offenders Therapeutic Programme (VOTP): Rationale and effectiveness. Australasian Journal of Correctional Staff Development, 6, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watt, B. D., & Howells, K. (1999). Skills training for aggression control: Evaluation of an anger management programme for violent offenders. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 4, 285–300. https://doi.org/10.1348/135532599167914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, C., Gandolfi, S., Dudley, A., Thomas, B., Tapp, J., & Moore, E. (2013). Evaluation of anger management groups in a high-security hospital. Criminal Behaviour & Mental Health, 23, 356–371. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.1873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, S. C. P., Gordon, A., Gu, D., Lewis, K., & Olver, M. E. (2012). The effectiveness of violence reduction treatment for psychopathic offenders: Empirical evidence and a treatment model. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 11, 336–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2012.746760

    Article  Google Scholar 

Further Readings

  • Gannon, T. A., Olver, M. E., Mallion, J. S., & James, M. (2019). Does specialized psychological treatment for offending reduce recidivism? A meta-analysis examining staff and program variables as predictors of treatment effectiveness. Clinical Psychology Review. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101752

  • McAlinden, A. (2012). “Grooming” and the sexual abuse of children: Institutional, Internet and familial dimensions. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire, J. (2013). ‘What works’ to reduce re-offending: 18 years on. In L. A. Craig, L. Dixon, & T. A. Gannon (Eds.), What works in offender rehabilitation: An evidence-based approach to assessment and treatment (pp. 20–49). Wiley-Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mpofu, E., Athanasou, J. A., Rafe, C., & Belshaw, S. H. (2018). Cognitive-behavioral therapy efficacy for reducing recidivism rates of moderate-and high-risk sexual offenders: A sco** systematic literature review. Current Sociology, 66, 170. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X16644501

  • Papalia, N., Spivak, B., Daffern, M., & Ogloff, J. R. P. (2019). A meta‐analytic review of the efficacy of psychological treatments for violent offenders in correctional and forensic mental health settings. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12282

  • Polaschek, D. L. (2011). High-intensity rehabilitation for violent offenders in New Zealand: Reconviction outcomes for high- and medium-risk prisoners. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26, 664–682. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260510365854

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmucker, M., & Lösel, F. (2015). The effects of sexual offender treatment on recidivism: An international meta-analysis of sound quality evaluations. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 11, 597–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-015-9241-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, R., Thomas, S., & Daffern, M. (2017). The impact of interpersonal style on ruptures and repairs in the therapeutic alliance between offenders and therapists in sex offender treatment. Sexual Abuse, 29(7), 709–728. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063215617514

  • Willis, G., & Ward, T. (2013). The Good Lives Model: Evidence that it works. In L. Craig, L. Dixon, & T. A. Gannon (Eds.), What works in offender rehabilitation: An evidence based approach to assessment and treatment (pp. 305–318). John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Michael Daffern, Nina Papalia & Emily Stevenson

  2. Criminology & Justice Studies, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Stuart Thomas

Authors
  1. Michael Daffern
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nina Papalia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Emily Stevenson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Stuart Thomas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Daffern .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Carlo Garofalo

  2. Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Jelle J. Sijtsema

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Daffern, M., Papalia, N., Stevenson, E., Thomas, S. (2022). Common Psychological Treatments Used to Address Criminal Behavior. In: Garofalo, C., Sijtsema, J.J. (eds) Clinical Forensic Psychology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80882-2_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80882-2_29

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80881-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80882-2

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation