Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

REHABILITATION

REFERENCES Andrews, D.A. (2012). The Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) model of correctional assessment and treatment. In J.A. Dvoskin, J.L. Skeem, R.W. Novaco & K.S. Douglas (Eds.), Using social science to reduce violent offending (pp. 127-156). Oxford University Press. Bonta, J., & Andrews, D.A. (2007). Risk-Need-Responsivity model for offender assessment and rehabilitation . Retrieved from: file:///E:/St.%20Leo/ COURSES/DCJ%20755%20-%20Corr%20Philo/Mod%202/Canada%20 report.pdf Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (2020). Diversionary programs. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved from: https:// www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20240403/203139-diversionary programs_12.14.20(3).pdf Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (2025). Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system: Juvenile justice system enhancement strategy. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA. Glick, B., & Prince, R. (2016). Implementing successful cognitive behavioral interventions: Program administration and management, staff development, application to diverse populations. Civic Research Institute, Inc. Hansen, C. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral interventions: Where they come from and what they do. Federal Probation: A Journal of Correctional Philosophy and Practice, 72 (2), 1-13. Latessa, E.J. (2012). Designing more effective correctional programs using evidence-based practices. Retrieved from: file:///E:/St.%20Leo/COURSES/ DCJ%20755%20-%20Corr%20Philo/Mod%203/No88_10VE_Latessa_ Designing.pdf Lipsey, M.W., Landenberger, N.A., & Wilson, S.J. (2007). Effects of cognitive-behavioral programs for criminal offenders. Campbell Systematic Reviews. doi: 10.4073/csr.2007.6 Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. (2012). Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system enhancement strategy: Achieving our balanced and restorative justice mission through evidence-based policy and practice. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved from: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/jcjc/documents/ publications/jjses/pennsylvanias%20juvenile%20justice%20system%20 enhancement%20strategy%20-%20a%20monograph.pdf Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission. (2022). The Pennsylvania juvenile justice recidivism report: Juveniles closed 2007-2019. Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA. Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. (2025). PA juvenile justice task force: Final report and executive summary. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved from:https://www.pacourts.us/pa-juvenile-justice-task-force

pose threats to themselves or their communities. State authorities must also improve the consistency with which they divert low-risk youths into community-based programs in lieu of formal delinquency proceedings. Conclusion In conclusion, the ongoing integration of cognitive-be havioral therapies (CBTs) within Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system reflects the state’s commitment to achiev ing more effective, evidence-based approaches to youth rehabilitation. Grounded in structured cognitive and so cial learning theories, CBTs target the underlying thought processes that contribute to criminal behavior, equipping clients with the tools necessary to identify, challenge and replace maladaptive thinking patterns with prosocial alternatives. Programs such as Reasoning and Rehabilita tion, Aggression Replacement Training and Thinking for a Change illustrate how treatment curricula can enhance moral reasoning, emotional regulation and problem-solv ing skills, particularly among higher-risk youth. The development and incorporation of the Juvenile Jus tice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES) further reflects authorities’ desire to align with the principles of balanced and restorative justice by prioritizing community safety, offender accountability and improved skill development. While declining recidivism rates suggest that current in terventions may yield measurable benefits when delivered appropriately, more recent findings from Pennsylvania’s bi partisan task force caution that challenges remain. Notably, the underutilization of diversionary options and the over reliance on out-of-home placements for low-risk offenders highlight persistent gaps between policy and practice. To optimize outcomes, Pennsylvania must ensure its interventions remain responsive to youths’ individual ized risk and need profiles. The over-treatment of low-risk clients not only wastes limited resources but may also compromise long-term rehabilitation by exposing them to more criminogenic environments. In the future, more con sistent, equitable applications of diversion programs and community-based services, particularly for first-time and non-violent offenders, are essential. When cognitive-behav ioral therapies are aligned with the Risk-Need-Responsivity framework and delivered with fidelity, they often serve to effectively reduce recidivism, promote positive develop ment, and advance rehabilitative justice systems. CT

Kristian J. Everly is a doctoral student at Saint Leo University with years of prior experience teaching undergraduate criminal justice courses and working in private security, investigations and public safety industries.

Corrections Today | Winter 2025-2026

34