NCJ Number
190237
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: S109-S112
Date Published
2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This editorial reviewed several research studies to determine to what extent they describe therapeutic approaches that could come within the orbit of evidence-based treatment and whether it appeared to be an issue for reviewers.
Abstract
Evidence-based treatment programs had gained so much momentum in the last few years that the term evidence-based had become one of the leading household words in policy-making positions. The problem comes when too many people start using the phrase, evidence-based and don’t know what it really means. The concept of evidence-based has been most applicable to interventions. In both North America and the United Kingdom, the application of evidence-based treatment to offenders has been effective, leaving behind those within forensic mental health. The focus of treatment had been on reducing offending, not on improving mental disorder. The review of several research studies demonstrated that the purposes of treatment must be defined. If re-offending is to be prevented, then therapies that focus on self-management in the present and the future are appropriate rather than understanding the causes of offending.