T he overriding mission of the Correctional Service of Canada is to protect the public. As most offenders under the auspices of the Service will be released to the community at some point in their sentences, it is imperative that we find effective ways of reducing the risk to reoffend. Treatment programs designed to reduce the risk of reoffence are the most common rehabilitation technique used, but we should not simply assume that they are effective without verification. Ongoing follow-up work must be done on all such treatment programs to ensure that these programs are indeed reducing recidivism rates. The Correctional Service of Canada's Regional Health Centre in Abbotsford, British Columbia, runs a treatment program for high-risk violent offenders.
Previous research indicates the program is effective in reducing violent recidivism.
This article explores the treatment methods used in this program and further examines the recidivism rates of program participants. Introduction T here has been a recent focus within the Correctional Service of Canada on assessing the dangerousness of offenders. From this comes a natural concern with the treatment programs being used to reduce the risk of reoffence. Most of this concern has centred on sex offenders, perhaps because of the devastation caused to the victims of sex crimes. It is also important, however, to address the treatment needs of violent offenders.