DOI: 10.5176/2382-5642_FSCR14.03
Authors: Nicola Bowes and Mary McMurran
Abstract: Forensic Psychologists work with service users to address problem thinking or behavior that has involved the law or legal systems. Often psychologists work with offenders who have been convicted of criminal behavior and aim to help them change their behavior and thinking with the aim of reducing re-offending. There is a lack of good-quality outcome evaluations of psychological interventions offered to offenders who are imprisoned for crimes of violence. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered gold standard in treatment evaluations and yet there are rarely used in prison settings to explore the impact of psychological interventions.
An RCT feasibility study was designed and delivered in Wales, UK to explore whether RCT methodologies can be employed in custodial settings and to identify some of the issues and barriers to effective evaluation. The feasibility study involved 115 adult male offenders who were randomly allocated to psychological treatment for alcohol-related violence (Control of Violence for Angry, Impulsive Drinkers) plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU only.
The feasibility study provided valuable information and experience for clinicians and researchers seeking to undertake RCTs in custodial settings. Organizational barriers and communication issues factored in to the process of running an RCT which included exploring the impact of a psychological intervention on reconviction.
Conclusion: The results indicate that an RCT is feasible and provides parameters for designing a full RCT. Differences in reconviction between groups favored COVAID and were clinically important.
Keywords: Randomized controlled trials; forensic psychology; alcohol-related violence
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