A03: Anger Management - Dealing with offending behaviour

• Evaluation 


  +
• +AM - Outlasts behaviour modification A03

  Unlike behaviour modification, anger management tackles the causes of offending i.e the cognitive processes that trigger anger, and ultimately, offending behaviour.

  • This may give offenders new insight into the cause of their criminality, allowing them to self-discover ways of managing themselves outside of prison.

  This suggests that anger management is more likely than behaviour modification to lead to permanent behavioural change.
• -AM - Success depends on individual factors A03

  Howells et al (2005) found that participation in an anger management programme had little overall impact when compared to a control group who received no treatment.

  • However, progress was made with offenders who showed intense levels of anger before the programme and offenders who were motivated to change ('treatment readiness').

  This suggests that anger management may only benefit offenders who fit a certain profile.
• +AM - COUNTERPOINT: Outlasts behaviour modification A03

  However, whilst anger management may have an effect on offenders in the short term, it may not help cope with triggers in real-world situations (Blackburn 1993).

  • This suggests that, in the end, anger management may no reduce reoffending.
• -AM - Anger Management in EXPENSE A03

  Anger management programmes require highly-trained specialists who are used to dealing with violent offenders. Many prisons may not have the resources.

  • In addition, change take time and commitment, and this ultimately likely to add to the expense of delivering effective programmes.

  This suggests that effective anger management programmes are probably not going to work in most prisoners.
• -AM: Anger & offending A03

  The anger management approach assumes that anger is an important antecedent to offending in that it produces the emotional state necessary to commit crime.

  • However, Loza & Loza-Fanous (1999) found no differences in levels of anger between offenders classed as violent and those classed as no-violent.

  This suggests that, if anger is not a feature of many crimes, such programmes may be unnecessary and unhelpful when it comes to tackling crime.
• -AM: Comparison with BM A03

  P: It considered a more effective treatment than those like BM.

  E: It is rooted addressing the cause of the offending behaviour rather than superficially tackling the actual behaviour.

  E: The nature of anger management empowers (gives prisoners back control health) prisoners to change there behaviours as they can understand their own triggers and do something about them at source.

  L: So although more expensive and not suitable for everyone, where they are accessible they lead to much greater long term behaviour change.
• -AM: Expensive: BM A03

  P: This is even more important when considering cost.

  E: AM requires the skills of a highly trained therapist who has experience in this kind of intense program delivery.

  E: Not only that but behaviour change like this takes time further adding to the costs.

  L: With prison funding so poor it is unlikely many prisons will be able to offer this program therefore making it an inaccessible treatment, regardless of effectiveness.
• -AM: Inconsistencies: BM A03

  P: However, much of the research findings report inconsistent success suggesting it does not work for everyone.

  E: Howells et al (2005) found participation in an anger management program was most effective with offenders who have shown the highest levels of anger prior to the program.

  E: But for other offenders there was little to no improvement in comparison with a control group.

  L: Suggesting anger management is effective but only on certain offender profiles and should be limited to those individuals.
• +AM: Research in Support: BM A03

  P: Research by Keen et al (2000) supports the delivery of anger management with young offenders.

  E: Offenders aged 7-21 engaged in the National Anger Management Package developed by Prison Service.

  E: Despite some initial issues with taking the course seriously and remembering everything involved, offenders reported increased awareness of anger management issues and an increased ability to exercise self control.

  L: Showing that certainty for young offenders, this is an effective technique that should help with successful rehabilitation.
• Connect essays together so they flow (connect PEELs)
• Keen et al (2000)

  Positive Outcomes with young offenders:

  Keen et al (200) studied the progress of young offenders between 19 and 21 who took part in an anger management programme - eight 2hr sessions.

  • Initially there were difficulties with the offenders forgetting their diaries and not taking it seriously
  • By the end offenders generally reported increased awareness of their anger and capacity for self-control

  CAN BE USED FOR A01 OR A03
• Evaluate Anger Management

  + RS Keen et al

  -Expensive: inaccessible

  -Inconsistencies Howells

  -Needs engagement / taken seriously

  + Better than BM coz it gives back control