Young Adult Offender (YAO) Program at SCI-Pine Grove: An Evaluation of the Link Between Therapeutic Community Participation and Social Cognitive Change Among Offenders

• NCJ Number: 221281
• Author(s): Ariana Shahinfar Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 19 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Pennsylvania Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Sale Source: Pennsylvania Cmssn on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded on January 22, 2008.

Annotation

Report findings are presented from an evaluative study tracking changes in the social cognitive patterns of participants in Pennsylvania’s Young Adult Offender Program at the SCI-Pine Grove facility.

Abstract

This study supported three underlying goals. The first goal was to confirm the suitability of currently available social cognitive and community thinking measures for the Young Adult Offender (YAO) Program population. Careful review of the data indicated that the available measures were appropriate for use with YAOs. The second goal was to determine whether change in social cognitions co-varied with advancement through the institution’s system of promotion. Data analyses failed to support the notion of a linear relationship between phase achievement and social cognitive skill development. These findings suggest that variability in baseline cognitive skills and individual change over time may be more important to assess than change associated with phase advancement. The third goal was to track individual change in inmate cognitions and community thinking over time. The most significant finding was that time since commitment appeared to play a role in cognitive skill development and positive community thinking. In addition, increases were found in perspective taking and affiliative social goals during the interval between initial and followup interviews. The findings offer support for the idea that the YAO program is demonstrating positive impact in changing inmate social cognitions, community thinking, and personal growth. Understanding the importance of the therapeutic community in working with juvenile and young adult offenders within corrections programs over the past several decades, the main purpose of this project was to assess the extent to which participation in Pennsylvania’s YAO program was linked to change in the cognitions underlying aggressive behavior among a group of 156 incarcerated young adult offenders housed at the SCI-Pine Grove facility. Figures, references