Assessing Attitude and Reincarceration Outcomes Associated With In-Prison Domestic Violence Treatment Program Completion

Abstract

Studies indicate that as many as 30%–56% of incarcerated men have perpetrated domestic violence, and that factors related to domestic violence perpetration are associated with long-term recidivism after release. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of an in-prison domestic violence treatment program called STOP and Change Direction to increase positive attitudes toward women, decrease levels of criminal thinking, and reduce general recidivism rates for program completers. Two research designs are used: a single-group pretest–posttest design to assess the attitude-related outcomes, and a quasiexperimental design with a comparison group created using propensity score matching to assess the impact of program participation on reincarceration. Paired samples t tests revealed significant increases in positive attitudes toward women and decreases in criminal thinking. Binary logistic regressions revealed no significant differences in the 5- and 7-year reincarceration rates, although examination of the 95% confidence intervals suggests encouraging clinical implications of program completion.