Gregory L. Little

Moral Reconation Therapy: A Systematic Step-by-Step Treatment System for Treatment Resistant Clients:

Moral Reconation Therapy is a systematic treatment strategy designed to enhance ego, social, moral, and positive behavioral growth in a progressive, step-by-step fashion. It is based upon the assumption that fully functioning, reasonably content, happy persons have a strong sense of identity and that their behavior and relationships are based upon relatively high moral judgment levels. The therapist strives to reeducate clients socially, morally, and behaviorally and to instill appropriate goals, motivation, and values. Moral Reconation Therapy has slowly evolved in response to the unique needs of particular client populations who are considered resistant to treatment. The therapy is an adaptable and utilitarian treatment system. This article is a review of the treatment system and relevant personality theory, and a description of how the system is applied to drug abusers and clients with antisocial personalities. In addition, the article presents preliminary research on the system.

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Felony Drug Offenders: A Five-Year Recidivism Report

70 male felony offenders treated with the cognitive behavioral approach of Moral Reconation Therapy during and after reincarceration were assessed for reincarceration and rearrests five years after their release. They were compared to a nontreated control group of 82 male felony offenders. Reincarceration in the treated group (37.1%) was significantly lower than recidivism in controls (54.9%). Also, the treated group showed fewer rearrests and fewer days of additional sentence.

Treating Drug Offenders with Moral Reconation Therapy: A Three-Year Recidivism Report

70 male felony offenders treated with the cognitive behavioral approach of Moral Reconation Therapy during and after incarceration were assessed for rearrests and reincarceration 38 months after their release. They were compared to a nontreated control group of 82 male felony offenders. Recidivism in the treated group was 24.3% as compared to 36.6% for the control group. Analysis showed that steps completed significantly correlated with rearrests and recidivism and that the correlation between number of aftercare sessions and recidivism approached significance.

RELATIONSHIP OF DUI RECIDIVISM TO MORAL REASONING, SENSATION SEEKING AND MACANDREW ALCOHOLISM SCORES

115 convicted male DUI offenders were treated with Moral Reconation Therapy during their incarceration. Postrelease recidivism status (arrests) was correlated with the pretest, posttest, and change scores on the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale, Sensation Seeking Scale, Life-purpose scores, and Moral Reasoning scores. Analysis showed that recidivism correlated positively and significantly with the pretest scores on the MacAndrew scale and approached significance with both pre- and posttest scores on the Sensation Seeking Scale. Recidivism status correlated negatively and significantly with scores on the highest levels of moral reasoning (Scale 6 pretest and posttest and Principled Reasoning pretest).

Treating Drunk Drivers with Moral Reconation Therapy: A One-Year Recidivism Report

115 convicted drunk drivers were treated with Moral Reconation Therapy during their incarceration. Postrelease recidivism (rearrest) and convictions of these treated subjects was compared to a control group of 65 convicted drunk drivers who did not receive treatment due to limited bed space. Analysis showed a rearrest rate of 20% for the treated group during the first year of the programs operation compared to 27.6% for the control group during the same period. Subjects who participated in a structured aftercare program after release showed only a 4.3% recidivism rate.

ONE-DAY DROPOUTS FROM CORRECTIONAL DRUG TREATMENT

13 one-day dropouts of treatment scored on the MMPI more impulsive, antisocial, and pathological than the stayers with whom they were matched. Dropouts also had used drugs longer (6.46 vs 3.23 yr.).