Adult Correctional Treatment

Abstract

Adult correctional treatment is effective in reducing criminal recidivism. Meta-analyses of adult and juvenile correctional interventions demonstrate that juvenile interventions are more effective than those designed for adults. Behavioral/cognitive treatments, on average, produce larger effects than other treatments. Analyses of specific treatment domains indicate effective interventions. Cognitive skills training seems successful with adult probationers and specific subgroups of offenders. Intensive, in-prison drug treatment is effective, especially when combined with community aftercare. Education, vocational training, and prison labor programs have modest effects on reducing criminal recidivism and increase positive behavior in prison. Evidence on sex offender treatment interventions is less positive, probably because the target population is heterogeneous and treatments need to be tailored to specific offender deficits.