The treatment principle states that cognitive/behavioral treatment should be incorporated into all sentences and sanctions. Treatment is action. First, it is centered on the present circumstances and risk factors that are responsible for the offender’s behavior. Second, it is action oriented rather than talk oriented. Offenders do something about their difficulties rather than just talk about them. Third, clinicians teach offenders new, pro-social skills to replace the anti-social ones like stealing, cheating, and lying, through modeling, practice, and reinforcement. Interventions based on these approaches are very structured and emphasize the importance of modeling and behavioral rehearsal techniques that engender self-efficacy, challenge cognitive distortions, and assist offenders in developing good problem-solving and self-control skills. These strategies have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing recidivism. (Latessa, E. J., and Lowenkamp, C. (2006). What works in reducing recidivism? The University of St. Thomas Law Journal …show more content…
Program staff training and education should be appropriate and adequate for the program.
7. Programs should be responsive to the temperament, learning style, motivation and culture of offenders. (Peters ilia (2005). Evidence-Based Programs for California, UC Irvine.)
Also, according to the “County Department of Community and Human Services. 2005”, the following features are important for The Dimensions of Successful Programs:
1. Assess and select highest risk youth 2. Address criminogenic risk factors open to change 3. Develop theoretical basis for intervention 4. Design intervention show to be effective
5. Implement with quality and fidelity. (King County Work Group, (2005) Guidebook to Elements of Successful Programs)
The existing and supporting evidence-based