A pilot study of SEE FAR CBT in prison settings: Effects on PTSD symptoms and recidivism rates

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder and childhood trauma are prevalent in prison populations, linking traumatic experiences to criminal behavior. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of SEE FAR cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, and subjective distress among male inmates, and to explore recidivism rates. SEE FAR cognitive behavioral therapy combines cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic experience, and imagery-based methods, incorporating therapeutic cards with artistic drawings to facilitate trauma processing across cultural barriers. A pre-post intervention design was employed with thirty-eight adult male inmates at an Israeli prison who completed the full treatment protocol alongside mandatory rehabilitation programs. Participants showed significant improvements across all clinical measures with large effect sizes. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression scores, and subjective distress ratings demonstrated statistically significant reductions following treatment, with average symptom reduction exceeding thresholds for clinically significant change. Correlational analyses revealed that participants with higher baseline symptom severity experienced proportionally greater treatment gains. Preliminary recidivism analysis of thirty-five released inmates showed lower reoffending rates compared to the general prison population in the first two years post-release. The intervention succeeded despite frequent prison environment disruptions and demonstrated effectiveness across diverse offense types. These preliminary findings suggest the protocol’s potential as a mental health treatment in correctional settings, though controlled studies with larger samples are needed to establish effectiveness and confirm impacts on recidivism.