Abstract
Some recent reviews of correctional treatment research have concluded that "reform is a flop," and that "with few and isolated exceptions," rehabilitation does not occur. More optimistic interpretations of correctional outcomes are possible if one focuses on (1) newer perceptions of the role of rehabilitation; (2) the quality of the evidence for treatment success; (3) variations in system or client outcome by type of research design; and (4) the relationship between research productivity and the organization of research. The prospects that corrections can be made to "work" appear improved if rehabilitation is seen as only one of several agency goals; if treatment success is seen as specific to selected combinations of client type, treatment mode, treatment site, and change agent; if both system models and outcome models of research are used; and if much of the research and development effort is located in-house.

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