Altering Antisocial Attitudes in Federal Male Offenders on Release: The Final Report of the Counter-Point Program

Why we did this study

The Counter-Point program was a key community based correctional program offered to male offenders on release in most of the larger parole offices in CSC. The study extended a previous study by examining the success of the program in changing antisocial attitudes and in reducing criminal recidivism.

What we did

The investigation compared 331 Counter-Point participants and 331 offenders who did not take Counter-Point, matched on actuarial risk and prior program participation. Outcome measures included new offences, the presence or absence of recidivism, and offence density, the frequency of new offences. The analysis extended the previous study by including: (1) an extended follow-up period, (2) calculations of percent drop in antisocial attitudes and cognitions as a result of program participation, and (3) the change in the offence density related to program participation.

What we found

After follow-up of 6.3 years, unadjusted rates showed that 36% of the Completers had committed a new offence. In contrast, 52% of the Drop-outs and 64% of the comparison group had committed a new offence. The effectiveness of the Counter-Point program was examined via a series of Cox and binomial regression analyses which statistically controlled for pre-existing differences in criminogenic need ratings and time-at-risk to yield risk ratios. Results showed that offenders who participated in Counter-Point (regardless of whether they completed the program) had a 20% reduction in the likelihood of re-offending, compared to offenders who were not exposed to the program content. Analysis also revealed significant reductions (23%) in the number of new offences committed by offenders who participated in the Counter-Point program. In addition, analysis suggested that the program was equally effective for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders. Similarly, Counter-Point participation resulted in a significant reduction of new offences for both high risk and low risk offenders, and reductions in offence density for all categories of risk.

An examination of treatment change showed that program participants had significantly fewer antisocial attitudes and cognitions following completion of the program. However, they reported an increase in criminal friends. It is speculated that the program helped these offenders more accurately identify their antisocial peers.

What it means

Overall, the Counter-Point program was successful in reducing antisocial attitudes and cognitions and the commission of new offences. These results indicated that Counter-Point is an appropriate correctional program for offenders on conditional release who require intervention to address antisocial attitudes.

Currently, the Counter-Point program has been revised and is delivered as the AAA (Alternatives, Associates and Attitudes) program. It targets property offenders with needs in the domains of Attitudes and Associates.

For more information

Kroner, D.G., Harris, A.J.R. & Yessine, A.K. (2009) Altering Antisocial Attitudes in Federal Male Offenders on Release: The Final Report of the Counter-Point Program). Research Report R-187, Ottawa: Correctional Service of Canada.

To obtain a PDF version of the full report, contact the following address: research@csc-scc.gc.ca

Prepared by: Lynn Stewart