Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in Forensic Setting: An Overview

The increase in need of treatment services in prison has been in great demand. The augmented number of crimes ranging from petty crimes to serious heinous crimes in last two decades brought in the requirement of mental health facilities in prisons at the surface level. Growth in prison facilities and prisoner populations has outstripped the slower growth in mental health services, and become the need of an hour to appoint the trained and experienced therapist to reduce the rate of recidivism. Psychotherapy one of the facility in forensic setting, has been proved as an efficient method in recidivism. Among the various therapies administered on offenders, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) includes numerous programs like anger management therapy, moral reconation therapy, reasoning and rehabilitation, soft skill training, substance abuse training, relapse prevention therapy etc. are considered as the important component of the mental health facilities in the prisons, correctional and observation homes with an aim to increase the community re-entry of the offenders. CBT in prison focuses on cognitive functioning and behaviour especially on developing skills for living in harmony with the community and engaging in behaviours that contribute to positive outcomes in society. In the light of the available applications of CBT on forensic population, the heed of this article is to provide an overview of the effectiveness in crime reduction and training the offenders for becoming an acceptable member of the society.