About the Report The Report, Part II: Review of the Re-Entry Process:

chapters and policy statements:
About the Report of the Re-Entry Council

Policy Statement 14, Research Highlight 3

Cognitive-behavioral programs are significantly associated with recidivism reduction and are cost-effective.

Numerous correctional program models exist inside and outside of prison settings to help individuals to accept their circumstances, improve their relationship and social interaction skills, and learn how to make better decisions. One particular model, cognitive-behavioral treatment, is significantly associated with reduced recidivism and is cost-effective. Cognitive-behavioral treatment programs, which aim to help participants develop better reasoning skills and, ultimately, to change their negative behavior, have been increasing in popularity among correctional institutions. [1]   A substantial body of scientific research has consistently found that participants in cognitive behavior programs have recidivism rates that are 10 to 30 percent lower than rates for offenders who did not receive such services. [2]   Among the general population of prisoners, cognitive behavior treatment decreased recidivism by 27 percent. Larger gains have been noted with higher risk prisoners, whose recidivism was reduced by nearly 60 percent after receiving interventions administered by providers with at least a moderate amount of training. [3]   Research has also demonstrated that adult cognitive-behavioral treatment programs can be particularly cost-effective relative to other therapy models. Studies have estimated economic returns of from $2.54 to $11.48 for every program dollar invested in cognitive behavioral treatment, while punishment-oriented interventions have yielded returns of only 50 to 75 cents for every program dollar spent. [4]  

  1. Marta Nelson andëûJennifer Trone, Why Planning for Release Matters (New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2000). back
  2. Francis T. Cullen and Paul Gendreau, "From Nothing Works to What Works: Changing Professional Ideology in the 21st Century," Prison Journal 81 no. 3 (2001): 313-338; Robert Ross and Paul Gendreau (eds.), Effective correctional treatment (Toronto: Butterworths Publishing, 1980); Paul Gendreau and RobertëûRoss,ëû"Revivification of Rehabilitation: Evidence from the 1980s," Justice-Quarterly 4,ëûno. 3 (1987): 349-408. back
  3. Ibid. back
  4. Lori Golden, Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Cognitive Behavioral Program for Offenders on Probation: Thinking for a Change (Dallas: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 2002); citing Steve Aos et al., The Comparative Costs and Benefits of Programs to Reduce Crime: A Review of National Research Findings with Implications for Washington State (Washington State Institute for Public Policy, 1999), doc. no. 99-05-1202. back
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