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

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.