Evaluation Studies on Group Treatment of Juvenile and Adult Offenders in Correctional Institutions

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Abstract
This paper reviews twenty-three studies (based on a literature search covering 1945-70) evaluating group treatment of juvenile and adult offenders in correctional institutions. The studies are discussed critically under such headings as definition of treat ment, goals and theoretical presuppositions, and experimental design. The major conclusion drawn from the review is that, although the evaluation studies report a variety of positive re sults, still, as a whole the investigations fall short of meeting the criteria of scientific research, especially regarding replication; this makes it im possible to conclude that group treatment in correc tional institutions is an effective rehabilitation mode. Several issues deserving the attention of researchers are suggested, one of which is the question of the compatibility of institutional and post-institutional adjustment as criteria of success in group treat ment.