A quasi-experimental pilot study of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation programme with mentally disordered offenders

Abstract

Cognitive-skills interventions, such as the Reasoning and Rehabilitation (R&R) programme, have been repeatedly shown to have the largest impact on recidivism. However, we have yet to establish the extent to which mentally disordered offenders (MDOs) can benefit from such interventions. Using a quasi-experimental design, we sought to determine: (1) the feasibility of implementing R&R with MDOs, and (2) whether participation was associated with improved psychosocial function. Male patients with psychotic disorders were recruited from two forensic medium secure hospitals, 18 were allocated to receive the full R&R programme, while the control group (N = 17) received treatment-as-usual. All participants completed a battery of questionnaires both before and after treatment. Only three patients failed to complete the full 36-session R&R programme. Those who completed the programme showed significantly improved problem solving ability and increased coping responses. The results suggest that MDOs can benefit from participation in the R&R programme.

Keywords:

• cognitive-skills
• schizophrenia
• problem solving
• offender treatments
• intervention
• mentally disordered offenders
• medium secure units

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Beenish Nafees and Ketan Sonigra for assistance with data collection.