The Limits of Prison Based Treatment

Abstract

The resurgence in evidence-based treatment programs is largely based on a number of systemic reviews of previously published studies of a wide variety of correctional treatment programs. The findings of these reviews claim to show that treatment works and should be expanded within our correctional agencies. But a closer review of such studies suggests that the possible effects of “ramping up” such programs will not have the desired effects. Drawing from the field of medicine, whose use of the term “evidence-based” predates that within criminal justice, this article reexamines some of the findings and conclusions made by such reviews. The policy implications are that the “treatment effects” can easily be overstated, thus leading policy makers who are not trained in analysis to make erroneous policy and funding decisions. Moreover, the overemphasis of programs versus criminal justice policy diverts our attention from the more pressing need to reduce prison and jail populations.

Keywords:

• evidence-based treatment programs
• correctional treatment programs
• treatment effects

The author would like to thank Richard Berk, John Irwin, and Suzanne Smith who provided useful comments and suggestions.

Notes

1. See http://www.ndci.org/publications/10697_PaintPict_fnl4.pdf

2. Lipsey (2008) employs the same tactic in his meta-analysis of juvenile prevention programs.