Treatment approaches and offending behavior programs: Some critical issues

• This paper brings together knowledge about the effective delivery of programs.
• There appears to be great variability in how programs are actually delivered.
• The flexible delivery of program content allows deep learning is to take place.
• Practice guidelines help to reduce the variability in practice and ensure integrity.

This paper discusses what is known about effective methods of program delivery in offender rehabilitation programs and how this impacts on the integrity of correctional programs. Drawing on literature from both psychotherapy and adult education, it is concluded that collaborative and client-centred approaches are likely to be associated with the highest levels of effectiveness, and that there is a need to support these methods of delivery through the development of practice guidelines that can be used by both program providers and supervisors.