Rehabilitative needs and treatment of Indigenous offenders in ...

What are some of the considerations in delivering programs toIndigenous offenders? Best-practice literature indicates that rehabilitative programs shouldrespond to risk of re-offending, criminogenic needs and offenderresponsivity. Meta-evaluations have shown that rehabilitative programs that utilisecognitive behavioural therapy have a demonstrated effect on reducingrecidivism among participants. Importantly, rehabilitative programs thattarget offender criminogenic needs have been shown to have thehighest impact on reducing recidivism. There is a paucity of evidence-based research on the rehabilitation ofIndigenous offenders in Australia. The best information suggests thatrehabilitation efforts should combine cognitive behavioural therapy withculturally sensitive content and delivery modes. Research alsodemonstrates that Indigenous offender criminogenic programs shouldbe high in frequency and duration.Some researchers have been critical of applying the cognitivebehavioural therapy approach to Indigenous offenders. It has beensuggested that promoting self-disclosure in a peer group settingcontravenes Indigenous mores and can be seen to be associated withshaming. Some Indigenous offenders participating in the QCS Internal ServicesDelivery Review reported that they felt shame when discussingpersonal issues in a group context, while others reported benefits inbeing involved in this kind of self-disclosure. It is clear that furtherresearch on suitability of programs underpinned by the cognitivebehavioural therapy approach for Indigenous offenders is required.Other researchers have indicated that Indigenous rehabilitationinterventions need to be holistic in approach and attend not only tocriminogenic needs, but the multilayered issues faced by this group.This latter approach is evident in the strength-based model that hasbeen implemented in other jurisdictions (for example, Healing Lodgesin Canada). Although this model is yet to show significant benefits interms of reducing recidivism, it is worth noting that some Indigenousoffenders participating in the QCS Internal Services Delivery Reviewexpressed an interest in (re-)connecting with Indigenous culture,history and heritage. Low literacy and numeracy skills among Indigenous offenders wereregularly cited as a barrier to participation in rehabilitative interventions(including criminogenic programs and other educative and vocationaltraining opportunities).6