U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here's how you know
        Here's how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
              
              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Https**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
              A **lock** (   A locked padlock
 ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.  **
Menu


    close

        
        
                        
  
          Home
      
    
              How NIC can help
      
                
  
          **I need Training or Courses**
               Free e-courses available 24/7
              
      
                
  
          NIC Training Programs
          In-person and blended trainings
      
    
              I need Technical Assistance
          Guidance, support, advice, assessment, and/or customized training
      
    
              I'm looking for Information Assistance
          NIC publications, DVDs, FAQs, and more
      
    
              **I need other assistance from NIC**
              
      
                
  
          NIC Helpdesk
      
    
              Connect with other Corrections Professionals
          NIC Community Forums
      
    
              Funding Opportunities
          Cooperative Agreements and more
      
    
              Resources
      
                
  
          **News and Events**
              
      
                
  
          Conferences
      
    
              NIC Events
      
    
              NIC News & Media Releases
      
    
              Subscribe to NIC's News & Announcements
          Emails with NIC's latest news and initiatives
      
    
              NIC Quarterly Newsletter Archive
      
    
              **Featured Resources**
              
      
                
  
          Resources for Corrections Professionals
          Resources about correctional topics
      
    
              Topics
          Focused areas of research for Corrections Professionals
      
    
              NIC's e-courses
      
    
              Hot Topics
          Answers to questions about NIC services & resources
      
    
              FAQs
          Frequently Asked Questions
      
    
              **NIC Library**
              
      
                
  
          Search the Library Collection
      
    
              Ask a Librarian
      
    
              Free eBooks
      
    
              Sign in to the EBSCOhost Research Platform
          Free research resources provided by NIC
      
    
              Webinars and Broadcasts
          Streaming Video of NIC Trainings
      
    
              US State Statistics
          Statistics Information about US Corrections
      
    
              About NIC
      
                
  
          **About the Agency**
              
      
                
  
          Mission
      
    
              Staff Directory
      
    
              Reports to the Nation
      
    
              Funding Opportunities
      
    
              History of NIC
      
    
              Advisory Board
      
    
              **Divisions**
              
      
                
  
          Academy Division
      
    
              Community Services Division
      
    
              Jails Division
      
    
              Prisons Division
      
    
              **Strategic Plan**
              
      
                
  
          Subscribe to NIC's News & Announcements
          Emails with NIC's latest news and initiativesMy Cart
                                
                          
        
                Log in Home
                                    Resources
                                    Discover The Latest NIC News and Events
                                    NIC News & Media Release Archive
                                    25 Years of Thinking For a Change

      

                    
          
    25 Years of Thinking for a Change
Fri, 07/07/2023 - 12:00
      
            Now in its 25th year, Thinking for a Change (T4C) remains the most requested training offered by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), generating up to 100 inquiries a week for the program. T4C is a cognitive-behavioral change program that applies research from cognitive restructuring theory, social skills development, and problem solving to help justice-involved individuals learn how to manage their lives by managing their thinking. The program has been proven to reduce recidivism when delivered as instructed through proper training and bolstered with conditions (such as scheduling, providing materials and technology) that support participating individuals’ success. To date, NIC has trained over 10,000 T4C facilitators and over 1,000 T4C trainers from nearly 40 states and U.S. territories.

Since its inception, the program has undergone many changes, from once being an in-person-only course to now being available in a hybrid in-person and online format and in multiple languages.  T4C Program Manager and Correctional Program Specialist Archie Weatherspoon, IV, believes the popularity for the program stems from its strong foundation in the principles of cognitive-behavioral intervention. While cognitive-behavioral therapies and interventions are widely popular now and understood to have a positive effect on high-risk offenders, research and support for these approaches were fairly new when T4C was first developed in 1998.

Cognitive behavioral approaches ask participants to think carefully about their thoughts. They are taught to stop, think, and get quiet before acting on decisions. The quiet makes room for thinking through better solutions to problems outside of criminal activity.

The latest version of the T4C program, T4C 4.0, is delivered throughout the country by correctional staff working with individuals in jails, prisons, community corrections, parole, and probation settings. Like all NIC programs, T4C is also available at no cost, which makes this highly respected, evidence-based training invaluable both to corrections and the communities they serve. Return to top

      About NIC

About the Agency
	Divisions
	Staff Directory
	Contact NIC

NIC Services

Training
	Technical Assistance
	Corrections Forums
	Subscribe to NIC News

Resources

Resources by Role
	Resources by Topic
	NIC News
	NIC Events
  
      Agency logo
              
                              National Institute of Corrections
        
                  NIC Legal Policies and DisclaimersNIC Privacy Policy and DisclaimersPlain Language PolicyAccessibility PolicyDOJ Links:Justice.govOpen GovernmentLegal Policies and DisclaimersInformation QualityPrivacy PolicySmall BusinessOffice of the Inspector GeneralBudget and PerformanceFOIANo FEAR Act DataVulnerability Disclosure PolicyVote.govHave a question about government services? Contact USA.govFollow NIC on X
the National institute of corrections governmental seal