Reducing Recidivism Through Institutional Treatment Programs

• NCJ Number: 165050
• Journal: Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1996 Pages: 3-5
• Author(s): H. A. Marquis; G. A. Bourgon; B. Armstrong; J. Pfaff
• Date Published: September 1996
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

The Rideau Treatment Centre in Ontario, Canada, has a 24-bed assessment unit and a 64-bed treatment unit, and centre programs and procedures attempt to address difficulties associated with reducing offender recidivism.

Abstract

Operational procedures and correctional officer duties focus on treatment goals. Correctional officers participate in both the assessment process and the initial case conference where treatment programs and dormitory assignments are recommended. Each correctional officer acts as a case manager for three or four inmates, overseeing offender treatment plans and preparing offender social history summaries, parole reports, and discharge summaries. Inmates are freed from institutional work placements to pursue their treatment goals on a full-time basis. In addition, correctional officers and dormitory coordinators meet weekly to deal with operational issues and promote collegiality. Programming assignments are based on a 2-week assessment that examines criminal history, dormitory behavior, personality characteristics, treatment motivation, criminal sentiments, and adherence to the inmate code. Programming targets criminogenic factors such as substance abuse, violent behavior, and criminal attitudes. Programs are cognitive/behavioral, use peer pressure and support, and are individualized enough to focus on relevant situations and emotional states. Two offender samples were examined to evaluate the efficacy of programming offered by the Rideau Treatment Centre in reducing recidivism. One sample included offenders who completed a substance abuse relapse prevention program, and the other sample included offenders who completed the relapse prevention program plus an anger management program. The substance abuse relapse prevention program reduced the expected number of recidivists by 51 percent among nonviolent offenders, while the combination of substance abuse and anger management programming reduced the expected number of recidivists by 40 percent among violent offenders. The fact that substance abuse programming did not significantly lower recidivism is discussed. 5 notes and 3 figures