NCJ Number
212201
Date Published
2004
Length
115 pages
Annotation
This national evaluation of 23 cognitive behavioral projects for juvenile offenders in England and Wales is a compilation of the findings of local evaluators appointed by the projects.
Abstract
Cognitive behaviorism is a psychological model of change that incorporates the principles of both behavioral and cognitive therapy. This model has been widely accepted as an effective intervention method for changing juveniles' problem behaviors. The projects encompassed by this evaluation were classified into 3 groups according to the type of offenders targeted and the extent to which they used cognitive behavioral principles; 15 projects targeted habitual juvenile offenders and used structured cognitive behavioral programs based on manuals; 4 projects worked with juvenile sexual abusers and used assessments as the basis for a structured treatment plan for each youth; and 4 projects made limited use of cognitive behavioral principles, as they involved 2 educational projects, 1 reparation project, and 1 mental health project. All of the project evaluations covered the period from September 1999 to October 31, 2001. Although this evaluation was unable to determine whether individual projects reduced offending behavior by the targeted juveniles, the local evaluations drew lessons for the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of cognitive behavioral programs for juvenile offenders. One lesson learned was that new projects must be planned and designed to include assessment, referral, and evaluation tools from the outset. Also, projects must clearly state whom they are targeting, what they are expected to achieve, and the venue and staff qualifications needed for program activities. The evaluation concluded that habitual juvenile offenders, as a high-risk and high-need group, could benefit most from an integrated model of cognitive behavioral therapy and daily support services. Further, reconviction evaluation components must be complemented by measures of attitudinal change and self-report offending data. 12 tables and 31 references