Citation

Hollin CR, McGuire J, Hounsome JC, Hatcher RM, Bilby CAL, Palmer EJ. Crim. Justice Behav. 2008; 35(3): 269-283.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0093854807312234

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study presents the findings of an evaluation of the effect on reconviction of three general offending behavior programs involving adult male offenders in the English and Welsh Probation Service. Using a quasi-experimental design controlling for population factors, there was no difference in the reconviction rates of offenders allocated to programs and a comparison group. Offenders who completed a program had a lower rate of reconviction compared to the nonstarter, noncompleter, and comparison groups. A range of explanations for this "completion effect" is discussed, particularly with regard to the emerging literature on readiness to change.

Language: en