The question of 'what works' in offender treatment has dominated the field of prisoner re-entry and recidivism research for the last thirty years. One of the primary ways the criminal justice system tries to reduce the rates of recidivism among offenders is through the use of cognitive behavioural programs (CBP) as in-prison intervention strategies. The emphasis for these programs is on the idea that inmates are in prison because they made poor choices and bad decisions. Inmates' thinking is characterized as flawed and the purpose of the program is to teach them to think and act in socially appropriate ways so they will be less inclined to return to prison after their release. This book delves into the heart of one such cognitive behavioural programme, examines its inner workings, its effects on inmates' narrated experience and considers what happens when a CBP of substandard quality and integrity is used as a gateway for inmates' release. Based on original empirical research, this book provides realistic suggestions for improving policy, for reforming current in-prison programs engaging in problematic practices and for instituting alternatives that take the needs of the inmates into greater account. This book is essential reading for students and academics engaged in the study of sociology, criminal justice, prisons, social policy, sentencing and punishment.

The question of 'what works' in offender treatment has dominated the field of prisoner re-entry and recidivism research for the last thirty years. One of the primary ways the criminal justice system tries to reduce the rates of recidivism among offenders is through the use of cognitive behavioural programs (CBP) as in-prison intervention strategies. The emphasis for these programs is on the idea that inmates are in prison because they made poor choices and bad decisions. Inmates' thinking is characterized as flawed and the purpose of the program is to teach them to think and act in socially appropriate ways so they will be less inclined to return to prison after their release. This book delves into the heart of one such cognitive behavioural programme, examines its inner workings, its effects on inmates' narrated experience and considers what happens when a CBP of substandard quality and integrity is used as a gateway for inmates' release. Based on original empirical research, this book provides realistic suggestions for improving policy, for reforming current in-prison programs engaging in problematic practices and for instituting alternatives that take the needs of the inmates into greater account. This book is essential reading for students and academics engaged in the study of sociology, criminal justice, prisons, social policy, sentencing and punishment.

This book looks deeply at women researchers' personal stories, struggles, and successes within the context of conducting research in the male-dominated sphere of prison studies. Their insights provide an analytical resource from which readers can better understand the context of doing prison research and the theoretical and methodological challenges that come with it. Their autoethnographic stories shed light on the unique issues faced by women prison researchers and provide a roadmap for understanding the novel strategies, methodological landmines, and epistemological challenges for those who will come after them. Their experiences as women investigators are couched in a distinct set of challenges. This book is intended to highlight those researchers' challenges and also, to celebrate their successes.