Treating drunk drivers with Moral Reconation Therapy: a three-year report

Area of Science:

• Criminal Justice
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation Programs

Background:

• High rates of recidivism among Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenders pose significant public safety concerns.
• Cognitive behavioral therapies are increasingly utilized in correctional settings to address criminogenic needs.
• The effectiveness of Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) and its extended aftercare components requires further investigation in DWI populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) on reincarceration rates among DWI-convicted male inmates.
• To compare the recidivism rates of inmates who received MRT with those who received no treatment.
• To assess the added benefit of an extended aftercare program following MRT intervention.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 115 male inmates convicted of DWI received Moral Reconation Therapy during incarceration.
• Postrelease arrest and reincarceration data were collected three years after release.
• A control group of 65 DWI-convicted inmates not receiving treatment and a subgroup of 24 MRT-treated inmates participating in aftercare were compared.

Main Results:

• The control group (no treatment) exhibited a reincarceration rate of 36.9%.
• The group treated with Moral Reconation Therapy showed a reduced reincarceration rate of 22.6%.
• Inmates who participated in the extended aftercare program following MRT demonstrated the lowest reincarceration rate at 16.7%.

Conclusions:

• Moral Reconation Therapy is an effective intervention for reducing reincarceration among DWI offenders.
• Extended aftercare significantly enhances the positive outcomes of MRT, further decreasing recidivism.
• These findings support the integration of MRT and comprehensive aftercare services in correctional rehabilitation for DWI convictions.