What is Effective

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Targeting the changeable characteristics of offenders that are directly linked to offending, such as drug use, anti-social attitudes and behavior, and poor anger management
Programs that maintain high program integrity through adhering to original program design and monitoring program implementation and offering comprehensive training to staff
Programs that adhere to the principles of risk, need and responsivity
Community-based treatment, although this does not preclude success in correctional facilities as well
Community residential programs for institutionalized offenders
Teaching family homes within correctional settings
Treatment that is delivered by service providers other than criminal justice personnel
Cognitive-behavioral approaches
Individual counseling, group counseling and guided group therapy
Family therapy
Multi-systemic therapy (MST)
Inter-personal skills training
Programs that are longer than six months but, at the same time, have reduced contact hours for youth being treated in the community
Programs that have been well established (i.e., that have been in existence for more than two years)

Deterrence-based strategies such as boot camps and Scared Straight
Incapacitation without treatment
Early release probation and parole
Programs that have been implemented poorly
Mixing high- and low-risk offenders together
Wilderness challenge programs and other programs that are lacking in theoretical grounding
Milieu therapy (where the program environment is intended to be therapeutic)
Vocational training
Home confinement
Unstructured or vague individual counseling
Intensive supervision programs without a treatment component
Restitution programs without a treatment component
Transfer to adult court and adult institutions
Token economies (where chores and good behavior earn privileges and rewards)
Drug treatment programs within institutionalized settings
Employment-related programs among institutionalized youth