dealing with offender behaviour: anger management

CBT approach

• Raymond Novaco (1975): Anger is triggered by cognitive factors causing emotional arousal before aggression.

• Anger is often a quick response to perceived threats or anxiety-inducing situations.

• Anger management teaches offenders to recognise triggers and use strategies to resolve conflict without violence.

3 stages of anger management

1. Cognitive Preparation

   • Offender reflects on past anger incidents and identifies triggers.

   • Therapist challenges irrational interpretations (e.g., perceiving a look as confrontational).

   • Aim: Break automatic angry responses by redefining situations as non-threatening.

2. Skills Acquisition

   • Offenders learn techniques to control anger:

     • Cognitive: Positive self-talk (e.g., counting to ten).

     • Behavioural: Assertiveness training to communicate calmly.

     • Physiological: Relaxation, meditation to control bodily reactions.

   • Goal: Control emotions, not be controlled by them.

3. Application Practice

   • Role-play scenarios with the therapist to practise new skills in a safe setting.

   • Offender must engage seriously; therapist may provoke to test responses.

   • Success is positively reinforced.

Evidence from Young Offenders

• Julia Keen et al. (2000) studied young offenders on the National Anger Management Package (8 sessions).

• Initial problems with engagement, but outcomes were positive:

  • Increased awareness of anger issues.

  • Better self-control.

does anger management work?

• Jane Ireland (2004) compared treated offenders vs controls:

  • 92% of treatment group improved on ≥1 measure (interviews, officer checklists, self-report).

  • No improvements in control group.

More Lasting Than Behaviour Modification

• Targets underlying cognitive causes of offending, not just surface behaviour.

• Can lead to offender insight and self-managed control after release.

• More likely than behaviour modification to produce permanent change.

Little Evidence for Long-Term Recidivism Reduction

• Blackburn (1993): Effects often short-term; little evidence of reduced reoffending.

• Role-play scenarios may not prepare offenders for real-life triggers (e.g., chaotic environments like bars).

• Progress in therapy may not translate to real-world behaviour.

Individual Differences Matter

• Howells et al. (2005) found only some offenders benefit, particularly:

  • Those with high initial anger levels.

  • Those motivated and open to change (“treatment readiness”).

• Suggests anger management may not work for all offenders.

Expensive and Resource Intensive

• Requires highly trained specialists, adding cost.

• Many prisons lack resources to run effective programmes.

• Success depends on offender cooperation and commitment, which can be difficult.

Questionable Assumption Linking Anger and Offending

• Loza & Loza-Fanous (1999) found no anger level difference between violent and non-violent offenders.

• Anger management might justify offending rather than prevent it.

• Implies anger may not be a direct cause of offending in all cases.