Cognitive-behavioral treatment of incarcerated offenders: An evaluation of the Vermont department of corrections' cognitive self-change program

Recidivism rates were compared in two groups of male offenders from a medium-security state prison. Offenders in the first group (n = 55) voluntarily participated in a cognitive-behavioral treatment program that addressed "thinking errors" related to criminal behavior. A second group of offenders (n = 141) from the same facility, who did not participate in the treatment program, served as a comparison group. A significant difference in recidivism was observed between the groups, with 50% of the offenders from the treatment group recidivating, compared to 70.8% of the comparison group. More favorable results for the program were observed when these data were subjected to survival analyses and implications. Practical limitations of the present study for the treatment of a general population of incarcerated offenders are discussed.