Abstract
Early dropout and low success rates in prison-based treatment programs are prevalent issues in correctional settings. This study investigates the influence of individual pre-program characteristics and program-level factors on treatment attrition (examining a sample of 132 offenders) and treatment success (analyzing a sample of 575 offenders) in risk-oriented offender treatment programs (ROOT) implemented in prison.
The regression model results reveal that higher treatment success rates are associated with lower scores in family history and employment risk scales, as well as female gender. Conversely, early dropout is linked to male gender, lower education levels, increased scores in risk assessment scales, and higher incidence of criminal records.
When motivation and treatment engagement variables are introduced into the success and dropout models, the impact of pre-program factors diminishes, and these new variables emerge as the most potent predictors of both success and failure in correctional programs. The findings underscore the significance of treatment engagement and motivation, highlighting their implications for treatment planning and future research in the area of correctional rehabilitation.