Interventions to Reduce Criminal Behaviour

Question 1

Family-Based Interventions

Answer 1

• Behavioural-based interventions that increase parenting skills
• Scott et al. (2001) - group parenting programmes for anti-social behaviour - worked for kids before adolescences.
• Functional Family Therapy - making meaningful changes in their functioning. - changing the way they think

Question 2

Educational Interventions

Answer 2

• having an education reduces likelihood of offending
• incentivising adolescents to stay in school
  Quantum Opportunity Programme (QOP) in the US gives scholarships - very positive effect.

Question 3

Punishments and Coercive Interventions

Answer 3

• very common in the CJS
• based on Deterrence Theory
• punishment & coercive interventions lead to increase of reoffending on average
• better for high risk offenders to deter from reoffending
• doesn’t really work for low-risk - labelling theory

Question 4

Psychological Interventions to Reduce Recidivism

Answer 4

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): identifying and correcting dysfunctional patterns of thinking. -changing the way people think
• w/ CBT, 28% reduction in general recidivism - not a lot but does something
• Mindfulness CBT effective treatment but not enough research on recidivism

Question 5

Interventions that don’t work

Answer 5

• boot camps w/o rehab
• custodial sanctions for low-risk offenders
• Sex offenders: Unstructured Psycholotherapeutic interventions
• Domestic Violence: court mandated treatment
• Drunk Driving: victim impact panels and ignition interlock
• Violent Offences: Aggression Replacement Therapy (ART)