Anger management

• Programme that involves identifying the triggers to anger as well as learning techniques to calm down and deal with the situation in a positive way. The aim is not to prevent or bottle up anger but to recognise it and manage it. There are 3 stages: cognitive preparation, skill acquisition and application practice
• Cognitive preparation - Offender discusses the situations that trigger anger. The offender may interpret events in an irrational way so the therapist draws attention to the irrational thinking, hoping to alter the way the offender thinks about situations
• Skill acquisition - Offender is taught a range of cognitive and behavioural techniques to help them deal with anger. One cognitive technique is for the offender to talk to themselves in a positive way to keep calm. A behavioural one is to stand up for themselves and express views in a non aggressive way. Also taught relaxation techniques
• Application practice - Offender can practise new skills in a controlled environment. Therapist and offender act out situations that may have caused anger in the past. Therapist provides feedback on how the offender has dealt with the situation including positive reinforcement
• Anger management used in the UK - National Anger Management Package which was developed in 1992 by England and Wales Prison Service. Course comprises of 8 two hour sessions
• +Evidence to support effectiveness

  Keen et al studied the progress made with young offenders aged 17-21 who took part in an anger management programme. 8 two hour sessions over a few months. Outcomes were positive and offenders reported an increased awareness of anger difficulties and an increased capacity of self control
• -Expensive and requires commitment


  It is expensive to run as it requires highly trained specialists who are able to deal with violent offenders meaning many prisons are unable to access such programmes so not all offenders will receive this. Success of it also relies on commitment of those who participate and this is a problem if prisoners are uncooperative and apathetic
• -Anger may not cause offending


  Loza and Lozafanous used a range of psychometric measures and found no difference between offenders classed as violent and non violent. Also many crimes such as financial crime are not motivated by anger which questions the effectiveness of anger management