Criminal Behaviour- Methods of modification

Question 1

Anger Management

Answer 1

Anger management is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that aims to help people manage their anger in more productive ways.
Anger management has two main aims; Long term
Rehabilitation- To reform the offender’s outlook on life to a more positive one
•through interventions to equip offenders with minimal skills so that they don’t rely on crime once freed
Reduction of Recidivism & Reoffending

Short Term
•A short term aim of anger management is to reduce the levels of anger and aggression in prisons.
•Novaco (2013) refers to prisons as “anger factories”
•Treatment in prisons  Staff  Offenders
•Frustration that led to aggression, reduction of: privacy, freedom, human rights, relationships, overcrowding
Anger is a particular issue for many criminals due to cognitive biases that they may suffer from  HAB & Minimalisation + CBT

Question 2

Key Features and Processes

Answer 2

Novaco (2011) Three key aims of the anger management process are;
• Cognitive restructuring – a greater awareness and control over the cognitive elements of anger
• Regulation of arousal – learning to control the physiological state
• Behavioural strategies - learning problem solving skills, strategic withdrawal etc
• These aims can be achieved through the Stress Inoculation Model

Question 3

Stress Inoculation Therapy

Answer 3

Stress inoculation model- Aims to vaccinate against future aggression
Stage 1 Conceptualisation
Cognitive: Learn about how anger how can be adaptive/maladaptive. They analyse their own patterns of anger and identify situations that provoke them.
Stage 2 Skill acquisition
Physiological and behavioural: Taught skills such as self-regulation and relaxation. They are also given assertiveness training, so that they can resolve conflicts without anger.
Stage 3 Application
Behavioural: Clients apply the skills in role play, where they get feedback from the therapist and group members. Later, they apply their skills in the real world.

Question 4

Restorative Justice

Answer 4

Restorative Justice
Aims of RJ- Reflective of custodial aims

Retribution/Atonement
•Offenders will be offered reparation
•The atonement is psychological by the offender showing guilt or remorse
•Provide an opportunity for the offender to develop empathy and possibly show distress by the damage caused

Rehabilitation
•Victim has opportunity to explain real impact of the crime
•Offender should learn to take perspective of the victim
•The offender is held accountable & takes responsibility

Victim Perspective
•Having their voice heard, reduces the impact on them
•Can be done in prison, face to face when on parole or probation
•Also can be done through letters, mediators, behind screens, reparation through service

It must all be volunteer, in order to truly tackle rates of reoffending