Behavioral Adjustment Programs
What are Behavioral Adjustment Programs?
Behavioral adjustment programs attempt through the intervention to change an individual’s propensity
towards negative or unhealthy behaviors. Programs can and should be tailored to specific criminogenic
needs.
Why are they important for ex-offenders?
Behavioral Adjustment Programs have the potential to effect multiple risk factors (see Risk Factors and
Needs) sometimes called the ‘Big Four’. They relate to the individual’s perception of their behavior,
unhealthy or manipulative behaviors and peers.
Promising Practices of Behavioral Adjustment Programs
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 1
CBT programs target criminogenic or anti-social thinking patterns and help the individual to make prosocial and healthier decisions. There are a wide variety of CBT programs and techniques; some common
ones are listed below.
 Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT)2: Program systematically address moral reasoning using a
variety of psychological techniques. MRT is a model intervention recognized by National
Registry of Evidence- Based Practices and Programs (NREPP).
 Reasoning and Rehabilitation (R&R)3: Program uses exercises to change behavior through
visualizing consequences of behavior and working on alternative reactions.
 Behavioral Couples Therapy: “A family treatment approach for couples that uses a “recovery
contract” and behavioral principles to engage both people in treatment, achieve abstinence,
enhance communication, and improve the relationship.”4 BCT is a recognized model practice by
NREPP for treating substance abuse.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)/ Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
“A consumer-centered, directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and
resolving ambivalence.” 5 Both MI and MET are recognized as a model practices by NREPP.
1
Blandford, A. M., & Osher, F. C. (2012). A Checklist for Implementing Evidence-Based Practices and Programs for
Justice-Involved Adults with Behavioral Health Disorders. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA’s GAINS Center for Behavioral
Health and Justice Transformation.
2
Ferguson, L. M., & Wormith, J. S. (2012). A Meta-Analysis of Moral Reconation Therapy. International Journal of
Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 1-31. doi:10.1177/0306624X12447771
3
Tong, L. J., & Farrington, D. P. (2006). How effective is the ‘‘Reasoning and Rehabilitation’’ programme in
reducing reoffending? A meta-analysis ofevaluation in four countries. Psychology, Crime and Law, 12(1), 3-24.
doi:10.1080u10683160512331316253
4
Blandford & Osher, 2012
5
Blandford & Osher, 2012;
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change (2nd ed.). New York:
Guilford Press.;
Orbis Partners, Inc. (2005). Motivational Interviewing: An Introduction [Lesson Plan and Participant's Manual].
Washington, DC: National Institute of Corrections.;
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Forensic Peer Specialists
“Justice-involved clients who are in recovery provide support to other clients who are also involved, or
at risk of becoming involved, in the criminal justice system.”6
Bootcamps - See Barriers below
Measureable Outcomes
Short-Term
Increased pro-social thinking and behavior
 Shows improvement in critical decision-making skills
 individual perceives criminal or anti-social behaviors as negative
 Individual engages in more collaborative rather than manipulative or exploitative behaviors
Increased feelings of being in control of oneself and one’s actions
Increased impulse control
 Shows improvement in controlling actions out of anger
Long-Term
Improved familial, spousal and peer relationships
Reduced Recidivism
 Seven meta-analyses have found moderate affects of CBT programs on reducing recidivism.7
Barriers to Outcomes
Lack of sufficiently trained individuals to carry out effective therapies and interventions
Increased criminal sanctions/bootcamp programs
6
Blandford & Osher, 2012
Ferguson, & Wormith, 2012
Landenberger, N. A., & Lipsey, M. W. (2005). The positive effects of cognitive–behavioral programs for offenders:
A meta-analysis of factors associated with effective treatment. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 451-476.;
Lipsey, M. W., Landenberger, N. A., & Wilson, S. J. (2007). Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Programs for Criminal
Offenders. Campbell Systemic Reviews(6). doi:10.4073/csr.2007.6;
Pearson, F. S., Lipton, D. S., Cleland, C. M., & Yee, D. S. (2002). The Effects of Behavioral/Cognitive-Behavioral
Programs on Recidivism. Crime Delinquency, 48(3), 476-496. doi:10.1177/001112870204800306;
Tong & Farrington, 2006;
Wilson, D. B., Bouffard, L. A., & Mackenzie, D. L. (2005). A Quantitative Review of Structured, Group-Oriented,
Cognitive-Behavioral Programs for Offenders. Criminal Justice and Behaavior, 32(2), 172-204.
doi:10.1177/0093854804272889;
Wilson, D. B., Gallagher, C. A., & MacKenzie, D. L. (2000). A Meta-Analysis of Corrections-Based Education,
Vocation, and Work Programs for Adult Offenders. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 37(4), 347-368.
doi:10.1177/0022427800037004001;
7
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
Programs which explicitly punish individuals or use bootcamp/’scared straight’ tactics have been
largely deemed ineffective and some studies have found them to have a negative effect on
recidivism8
Lack of coordination of services or therapy goals with other needs
Resources
Campbell Collaboration: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/
Institute of Behavioral Research at TCU: http://www.ibr.tcu.edu/
National Institute of Corrections: Motivational Interviewing Page:
http://nicic.gov/MotivationalInterviewing
SAMHSA


GAINS Center : http://gainscenter.samhsa.gov
National Registry of Evidence- Based Practices and Programs: http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov
8
Pearson, F. S., & Lipton, D. S. (1999). A Meta-Analytic Review of the Effectiveness of Corrections-Based
Treatments for Drug Abuse. The Prison Journal, 79(4), 384-410.;
Mitchell, O., Wilson, D. B., & MacKenzie, D. L. (2006). The Effectiveness of Incarceration-Based Drug Treatment on
Criminal Behavior. Campbell Collaboration. doi:10.4073/csr.2006.11 ;
Dowden, C., & Andrews, D. A. (2000). Effective Correctional Treatment and Violent Reoffending: A meta-analysis.
Canadian Journal of Criminology, 449-467.;
Lipsey, M., & Cullen, F. (2007). The effectiveness of correctional rehabilitation: A review of systematic reviews.
Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 297-320.;
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