Thinking for a Change
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program for the treatment of incarcerated individuals. The objective is to develop interpersonal communication skills and confront thought patterns that can lead to problematic behaviors.
The program has three components:
1) Cognitive self-modification: provides participants with a comprehensive self-reflection process focused on uncovering antisocial thoughts, feelings, attitude, and beliefs;
2) Social skills: prepares participants to engage in prosocial interactions based on self-understanding and awareness of the impact their actions may have on others;
3) Problem-solving skills: integrates the other two components and provides participants with a step-by-step process for addressing challenges and stressful situations they may encounter.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that program participants had a 28% lower recidivism rate for new offenses, relative to the 42% recidivism rate recorded for the control group [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Lowenkamp, C. T., Hubbard, D., Makarios, M. D. & Latessa, E. J. (2009). A Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of Thinking for a Change. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36(2), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854808328230

Information source