NCJ Number
219509
Journal
Federal Probation : A Journal of Correctional Philosophy and Practice Volume: 71 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 2-8
Date Published
June 2007
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined what responsivity characteristics were important in a program that meets the general responsivity principle, cognitive-behavioral treatment.
Abstract
Gender was not related to whether an offender completed the program. However, gender was found to be significantly related to recidivism. Men were significantly more likely than women to be arrested and incarcerated. While men tend to have higher recidivism rates in general, it is still interesting that despite controlling for many factors that would likely explain this relationship, such as level of risk, sexual abuse, depression, and self-esteem, gender emerged as an important responsivity consideration. Intelligence did not emerge as a responsivity consideration. As expected, level of risk was found to be related to many of the outcome indicators. It was highly significant in predicting whether an offender was successful in the program, whether the offender was arrested and whether the offender was incarcerated. Higher-risk offenders need more intensive treatment for a longer duration. Self-esteem in this study has been suggested as a responsivity issue but not related to program completion or recidivism. While research has demonstrated that programs can reduce recidivism for offenders, not all programs have been shown to be equally effective. The literature has also indicated that certain personal characteristics of offenders may be important in moderating the effects of treatment. The study utilized a longitudinal design with a sample of 344 male and 102 female offenders. Tables, references