Effects of Cognitive‐Behavioral Programs for Criminal Offenders

Abstract

Cognitive‐behavioural therapy can prevent criminal offenders from continuing their criminal careers. However, some treatment programmes work better than others. This Campbell review shows that a small number of factors make the difference. It is particularly important for the programmes to be stringently implemented, by well‐trained providers. No significant differences were found in the effectiveness of the different types of programmes or “brand names”. Whether the treatment is implemented in prison or in the community has no influence on the outcome.