The importance of appropriate allocation to offending behavior programs.
This study examined the impact on reconviction of appropriate allocation to three general offending behavior programs involving adult male offenders in the English and Welsh Probation Service. Appropriate allocation was defined by level of risk for reconviction. There were three allocation groups: too low, appropriate, and too high. Using a quasi-experimental design, the reconviction rates of offenders who were allocated to and completed a program, offenders allocated to a program who failed to start, and a comparison group were compared. It was found that the appropriateness of allocation affected reconviction independently of treatment group. Furthermore, in line with the risk principle, there was an interaction between treatment group and the appropriateness of allocation.
University of Leicester, United Kingdom.
Emma J
EJ
Palmer
James
J
McGuire
Ruth M
RM
Hatcher
Juliet C
JC
Hounsome
Charlotte A L
CA
Bilby
Clive R
CR
Hollin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003415:Crime / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014852:Wales