Are Cognitive Problem-Solving Skills Programmes Really Not Working? A Response to 'Evaluating Evidence for the Effectiveness of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation Programme'

Many believe that offenders are involved in criminal activities because they make poor decisions. Accordingly, problem-solving skills programmes have been delivered to literally thousands of offenders on both sides of the Atlantic. In 'Evaluating evidence for the effectiveness of the Reasoning and Rehabilitation Programme' (Wilkinson 2005), the authors cite outcome research suggesting that involvement in Reasoning and Rehabilitation does not significantly reduce reoffending in comparison to untreated control subjects. This article proposes that it may not be the underlying premise that is faulty. Rather, it is possible that a proliferation of cognitive-behavioural interventions, most of which include aspects of problem-solving skills development, has washed out any potential differences. Simply put, being managed in a cognitive-behavioural framework that adheres to the principles of effective correctional interventions (for example, Andrews and Bonta 2003) affords offenders an opportunity to develop better problem-solving skills