Dealing with offending behaviour: Anger management

• Cognitive behaviour therapy


  A form of therapy that focuses on changing an individual's thoughts and behaviours to improve their emotional state
• Novaco


  Suggests that cognitive factors trigger the emotional arousal which generally precedes aggressive acts
• In some people, anger is quick to surface especially in situations that are perceived to be anxiety-inducing or threatening
• Becoming angry is reinforced by an individual's feeling of control in that situation
• Anger management programmes


  A form of CBT where individuals are taught how to recognise the cognitive factors that trigger their anger and loss of control, and then encouraged to develop techniques which bring about conflict resolution without the need for violence
• Cognitive preparation stage


  1. Offender reflects on past experience and considers the typical pattern of their anger

  2. Offender learns to identify those situations which act as triggers to anger

  3. If the way in which the offender interprets the event is irrational, the therapist's role is to make this clear

  4. Redefining the situation as non-threatening to break the automatic response
• Skills acquisition stage


  1. Offenders are introduced to a range of techniques and skills to help them deal with anger-provoking situations more rationally and effectively

  2. Cognitive techniques like positive self-talk

  3. Behavioural techniques like assertiveness training

  4. Physiological techniques like relaxation training/meditation
• Application practice stage


  1. Offenders are given the opportunity to practise their skills within a carefully controlled environment

  2. Role play scenarios that may have escalated feelings/anger and acts of violence in the past

  3. Requires commitment from the offender to see each scenario as real

  4. Requires bravery from the therapist to 'wind up' the offender

  5. Successful dealing with role play is given positive reinforcement
• The National Anger Management Package was developed by the England and Wales Prison Service in 1992 and updated in 1995
• The course comprises 8 2-hour sessions, with the first 7 over a 3-week period and the last session a month afterwards
• There were initial issues with offenders not taking the course seriously and forgetting routines, but the final outcomes were generally positive
• Offenders reported increased awareness of their anger management difficulties and an increased capacity to exercise self-control