NCJ Number
242026
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 41 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2013 Pages: 81-89
Date Published
April 2013
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationship between criminal thinking and program attrition in two samples of ex-offenders.
Abstract
Findings from this study on the relationship between criminal thinking and program attrition include the following: program participants who did not complete the community programs had higher scores on the criminal thinking profile (CTP) than participants who successfully completed the program; the criminal thinking pattern most associated with non-completers from the day reporting center (DRC) sample was a lack of regard/empathy for others; and the criminal thinking pattern most associated with non-completers from the sober house (SH) sample was a desire for risk taking and thrill seeking. Using samples from two different community-based programs aimed at reducing recidivism among ex-offenders, this study explored the relationship between the criminal thinking profile of the participants and their risk of recidivism. The two programs included in the study were day reporting centers and a sober house. Data for the study were obtained from program participants who completed the CTP along with several substance abuse screening instruments as part of the standard intake procedure of each program. The results of the screening instruments were analyzed to determine their ability to predict completion rates for program participants. The findings suggest that criminal thinking patterns are factors that affect reentry outcomes and program attrition rates for ex-offenders participating in forensic treatment programs. Study limitations and directions for future research are discussed. Tables and references