Executive Cognitive Functioning Abilities of Male First Time and Return Canadian Federal Inmates

Abstract

A primary goal of forensic rehabilitation programming for incarcerated offenders is to eliminate or, at the very least, decrease rates of recidivism. However, repeat offending continues to occur, and studies suggest that reductions in recidivism brought about by programs are modest. Indeed, a series of studies suggests decreases in recidivism ranging between only 7% and 14%. While several factors have been identified as potential contributors to criminal behaviour, one notion that has garnered much attention is that an individual may be predisposed to criminality if s/he has deficits in executive cognitive functioning. At this time, the link between executive functioning and antisocial behaviour is largely unquestioned. However, it remains uncertain whether executive deficits may be even more profound in offenders who have served multiple terms of imprisonment. Using a cross sectional design, 93 Canadian federal inmates, categorized as either first timers (n=56) or return inmates (n=37) were tested on a battery of executive cognitive-functioning measures. In keeping with our hypotheses, return inmates showed more severe and pervasive patterns of executive dysfunction. These results suggest that improved focus on ameliorating ECF deficits of offenders may further assist in decreasing recidivism.