New approaches to using Relapse Prevention Therapy (RTP) in the criminal justice system

Based on George Parks (2007 ) December article for Correction Today , the application of Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT ) as a primary cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT ) in corrections and recidivism . He recognizes that RP affords the implementation of evidenced based interventions in corrections but requires further refinement if it is to be expanded from its current application in offender programming . This would require further testing of RP programs and more importantly , a philosophical shift in criminal programs for the effectiveness of rehabilitation and social reintegration

Criminality is an issue that is continuing concern of

any society Considering the evidence suggesting the increase in repeat offenders and the degree of their crime , the demand to develop effective recidivism programs is well justified . Parks (2007 ) discusses RPT clearly and provides significant information regarding its application prevailing principles and practices in its application . However , though his discussion on the impact of RPT and related CBT based interventions , he does not provide statistical or actual performance evidence . Though this does not imply that his opinion is less valid , the importance of the issue would have been better communicated with the presentation of such data

Parks himself recognizes the need for new perspectives and insights to the issue of not only corrections and recidivism but also corrections and social support for offenders . There have been a numbers of suggestions to address the issue including the contradictions to RPT such as the increase in punitive measures for offenders . In the case of restorative justice programs , there has been a similar increase in the support for their application but there has been hesitation on their full implementation because of perceived risks and the management participation on inmates . RPT has an advantage over other perspectives since there is already substantial evidence of its effectivity and relatively has lower risks since people involved in the interventions are limited to offenders ' corrections and parole officers

The research 's orientation reflects a psychological perspective as evidenced by the focus on CBT approaches . It should be noted that orientation does not exclude other orientations , as it is apparent form Park 's discussion that he recognizes the value of various perspectives in the development of recidivism programs . For example , he sites that crime cycles should be studied based on the conditions that create offense scenarios which include social , political and criminological perspectives or orientations

The theoretical framework utilized by Park combines sociology and psychology . The latter is apparent in the programs the areas of correction he sees the potential for the application for RPT . This puts an emphasis on psychological strategies , indicated by his recommendation of CBT and CBT-based programs including RPT as well as Helen Annis 's structured relapse prevention (SRP . However , the actual intervention proposed utilizes sociological frameworks for implementation . He believes that there is significant change that offenders will be able to reform if they are able to learn the impact of their actions , their responsibility for it and the need for criminal justice programs to apply penalties for those who offend them...