Corrections is aiming at rehabilitation that is more closely matched to specific offending in the four new programmes to be introduced over the next year.
Psychological Service Senior Psychologist Lucy King says that programmes draw on the latest international research and aim to reduce re-offending by addressing the factors behind offenders’ criminal behaviour.
“We are updating the programmes to stay abreast with what we know works best for offenders,” she says.
“Research shows that the intensity of programmes should match the offenders’ risk of re-offending so that offenders more likely to re-offend get more intensive programmes than those less likely to offend.”
Treatment options in the new programmes will deal with the causes of their offending, such as substance abuse, antisocial attitudes, thoughts and feelings related to offending, relationship difficulties and criminal associations.
“The programmes will also include treatment targeted at various types of offending, such as violent, property, and driving offending,” says Lucy.
When the work is complete the range of programmes will include: a 300-hour highintensity programme for high-risk offenders, a 140-hour medium-intensity programme for medium-risk offenders (with a shorter option also available), a short motivational programme initially for short-serving prisoners, and a relapse prevention programme for those who complete the programmes.
The new programmes will be introduced in the second half of 2006 and early 2007.
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