Ireland (2000) treatment of offenders - anger management

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

to assess the effectiveness of a group based anger management programme

Question 2

Method

Answer 2

Quasi experiment taking advantage of two naturally occurring groups

Question 3

Sample

Answer 3

experimental group - 50 young male prisoners who had completed anger management course

control group - 37 young male offenders assessed as being suitable for such a course but had not completed one.

matched on age, offence, level of angry behaviour etc.

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

both groups assessed on 2 measures 2 weeks before the course and 3 weeks after.

1. prison officers behavioural checklist
2. An anger management assessment questionnaire completed by prisoners - self report

experimental group given 12 1hr sessions over 3 days

Question 5

results

Answer 5

checklist and questionnaire both showed a significant reduction in angry behaviours in the experimental group but no difference in the control group.

• 92% of prisoners in experimental group improved in at least one measure
• 42% on two measures
• 8% showed deterioration on both measures upon completing the course

Question 6

Conclusions

Answer 6

In the short term anger management programmes could be considered a success and significantly reduced angry behaviour in prisons.

HOWEVER there is no later reconviction rate data so its unknown if it works long term.