Reduced criminal thinking in the values-based Prison Fellowship Academy® program

Abstract

Abstract Renewed focus on rehabilitative prison programming in recent years has generated a need to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and emerging approaches to reducing criminogenic risks and needs. This study analyzes data from The Prison Fellowship Academy® (the Academy), a 12–14 month intensive in-prison intervention program based on cognitive-behavioral modalities and research on criminogenic risk factors. Results from pre- and posttest assessments among 112 participants who completed the Academy in six cohorts across four male prisons in four states suggest that the program contributes to significant reductions in overall criminal thinking as well as in specific subscales of these assessments, including short-term orientation, entitlement, accepting responsibility, negative attitudes toward authority, victim impact, power orientation, and rationalization. Further research should examine how reductions in criminal thinking are related to long-term changes in criminal behavior and prison climate.