evaluation

• AM programmes are effective in reducing anger.
• effectiveness evidence

  Taylor and Novaco (2006) report 75% improvement rates based on meta-analyses. Dobash (1996) found that following participation in an AM programme, 33% went on to reoffend in the 12 months following release, compared with 75% of those who did not receive any treatment.
• effectiveness explain

  however, in some cases, AM may have the inverse effect on offenders, causing higher levels of violent and aggressive behaviour. Howitt (2009) argues that some offenders act violently to achieve specific goals, rather than out of uncontrollable anger.
• effectiveness link


  whilst there is empirical evidence to support AM, such individuals are unlikely to benefit from AM, and there are circumstances under which treatment may be counterproductive.
• AM has many different ethical problems, which can limit its effectiveness also.
• ethical evidence


  offenders will typically be forced by the courts to undergo AM - where refusal could result in perhaps a longer sentence, or a condition of their probation where refusal may mean a return to prison. This demonstrates the ethical issue of free will within AM, resulting in a lack of valid consent also.
• ethical explain

  forcing people to undergo therapy against their will is very much an ethically grey area.

  however, others may argue that for offenders undergoing AM, their free will is already being limited due to the fact that they have been imprisoned.
• ethical link

  with the lack of informed consent and the question mark around free will, this not only creates ethical problems but limits effectiveness, as a reluctant offender is unlikely to engage with the therapy, and thus receive no benefit.
• AM has positive implications for wider society.
• positive implications explain


  AM programmes have benefits for prison staff and other prisoners when used in prison environments, as they have the potential to reduce a hostile atmosphere which is created by violence and aggression.
• positive implications evidence


  for example, reducing a hostile attribution bias would mean that negative emotions are less likely to escalate.

  in addition, the cost to the economy of recidivism is at least £9.5 billion per year; if offenders learn to control their anger better once they are released from prison, this may prevent them committing further crimes.
• positive implications link/conclusion


  any method that may reduce even a small amount of offending or reoffending must offer benefits to society. However, whilst AM has the potential to save the economy money, it does need to be weighed up with the costs of these programmes.

  AM programmes such as CALM can be carried out by non-specialist staff, in comparison to stress inoculation, which needs trained professionals.