What are cognitive programs? How do they affect recidivism?
Cognitive programs focus on psychological skills development that provides inmates with the tools for changing acquired behaviors through restructuring the thought processes. High risk offenders generally lack the cognitive behavioral and social skills necessary for success as productive members of society. In order to reduce recidivism, periods of incarceration need to be augmented by programming designed to address these deficits. Programs such as Pathfinders and Cognitive Self Change make up the continuum of cognitive programming available to inmates throughout the system. To paraphrase Albert Einstein, “Problems cannot be resolved at the same level of thinking that created them”. Changing how one thinks is a key to helping ex-offenders to become responsible and accountable members of the workforce, their family, and the community.
