Robert R. Ross

Revivification of rehabilitation: Evidence from the 1980s

We reviewed the offender rehabilitation literature for the period 1981–87 and assessed the following types of interventions: biomedical, diversion, early/family intervention, education, getting tough, individual differences, parole/probation, restitution, and work. We evaluated treatments applied to specific subgroups of offender populations: sexual offenders, substance abusers, and violent offenders. The hypothesis that the “nothing works” credo has had a pervasive influence and has suppressed the rehabilitative agenda was not borne out when we examined the number and variety of successfully reported attempts at reducing delinquent behavior. In fact, the rehabilitative literature is growing at a noticeable rate; moreover, it suggests several strategies for developing more effective programs. Finally, we speculated why the “nothing works” doctrine continues to receive support in spite of empirical evidence to the contrary.

Reasoning and Rehabilitation

The Reasoning and Rehabilitation Project comprised an experimental test of the efficacy of an unorthodox intervention program in the rehabilitation of high-risk adult probationers. The program was derivedfrom a series of sequential studies of the principles of effective correctional programs. These studies indicated that many offenders evidence deficits in cognitive skills which are essential for pro-social adjustment and that training in these skills is an essential ingredient of effective correctional programs. Compared to regular probation and life skills training, cognitive training provided by probation officers led to a major reduction in re-arrest rates and incarceration rates among adult high-risk probationers.

Meta-Analysis of Rehabilitation Programs for Juvenile Delinquents A Brief Report

A meta-analysis of 46 studies of intervention programs for juvenile delinquents revealed a significant difference between programs that included a cognitive component and those that did not. Cognitive programs were more than twice as effective as non-cognitive programs. These results are consistent with previous qualitative analyses and provide support for a cognitive model of offender rehabilitation.

Adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse: Prevalence, sexual abuse characteristics, and long-term effects

Abstract Despite the plethora of research literature on female victims of childhood sexual abuse, it is only recently that male victims have received some attention. The present paper critically reviews the literature on men who had been sexually abused in childhood. It examines the issues of prevalence, nature of the abuse, and the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse. Where provided, comparisons between men and women who had been sexually abused as children are included. This review identifies several gaps in the literature that warrant measures to be taken in order to enhance our understanding of male sexual abuse. The tentative conclusion at this juncture is that a significant number of men has been sexually abused in childhood, and that very little empirically-sound research has been undertaken to better the present situation of such individuals.

A Study of Institutional Treatment Programs

Since its inception only a few years ago, the proliferation of behavior modification programs throughout the corrections field has been remarkable. Its introduction was heralded by extravagant claims and impressive promises but, as yet, there is little convincing evidence that would support such claims (Davidson & Seideman, 1974; Ross & McKay, 1974; Ross & Price, 1975). Several years ago the Psychology Department of the University of Waterloo (Canada), in collaboration with the Ministry of Correctional Services of the Province of Ontario, engaged upon a longterm treatment-research project which aimed to assess the efficacy of behavior modification strategies in the treatment of female adolescent offenders who were housed in a special unit of a correctional institution in Ontario. Throughout the course of the project we were faced with results which perplexed us at the time and which we now feel will generate considerable controversy regarding behavioral programs with offenders. Our attempts to understand the paradoxical results which we obtained led us to the development of

Assessment of Criminogenic Factors, Program Assignment, and Recidivism

A sample of 107 federally incarcerated male offenders in Canada was followed to examine the outcome of a classification approach, Case Management Strategies. Cases were tracked from point of reception to 6- and 18-month postrelease to assess how criminogenic factors were matched to programs, whether and how these program recommendations were acted on, and whether completion of appropriate programming affected postrelease outcome. The results largely failed to support the efficacy of this case management and program assignment process in classifying offenders to correctional programs as part of the rehabilitation process. Only about half of the program assignments were judged appropriate in targeting criminogenic factors. Only a small proportion of the recommended programs actually were completed by the offenders. Finally, the completion of program interventions, based on appropriate targeting of criminogenic factors, was unrelated to postrelease outcome after 6- and 18-month follow-ups.