Evaluation of a cognitive skills programme for male prisoners – exploring treatment effectiveness

Ireland, Jane Louise orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-5117-5930, Bates-Gaston, J, Markey, K, Greenwood, Leah Charlotte orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-6193-0867 and Ireland, Carol Ann orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-7310-2903 (2016) Evaluation of a cognitive skills programme for male prisoners – exploring treatment effectiveness. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, 2 (4). pp. 244-249. ISSN 2056-3841

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-06-2016-0011

Abstract

Aim: The current study provides an evaluation of a cognitive skills programme (Enhanced Thinking Skills) with adult prisoners.

Method: A pre and post treatment-only design with 171 male prisoners, using self-report psychometric measures.

Results: Significant differences were found in the direction expected. Clinical recovery using stringent methods was not indicated, although improvement/partial response was across a number of domains.

Originality: This study represents the first prison study to distinguish between levels of positive change. It questions previous interpretations of treatment outcome.

Implications for practice: Expectations for treatment outcome for short term interventions should be more realistic; Cognitive skills programmes may be best considered as precursors to longer term therapies; Treatment outcome should focus on improvement and not recovery.


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