Criminological- Formulations & Treatments

Question 1

Write down the mission statement of the Criminal Justice System

Answer 1

• Punish offenders
• Protect the public
• Change an offenders behaviour
• Ensure offenders do something to make up for their crime
Reduce the risk of crime in the future

Question 2

What are the four main types of sentences imposed

Answer 2

DISCHARGE
FINES
COMMUNITY SENTENCE
PRISON SENTENCE

Question 3

Describe the sentence- discharge

Answer 3

DISCHARGE -
When the court decides someone is guilty, but decides not to punish them further at this time, they will be given a ‘discharge.
There are two types of discharge:
• an ‘absolute discharge’ means that no more action will be taken
• a ‘conditional discharge’ means that the offender won’t be punished - unless they commit another offence within a set period of time.

Question 4

Describe the sentence- fines

Answer 4

FINES
Fines are the most common criminal sentence.
Fines are given to punish an offender financially.
They limit the amount of money offenders have to spend.

Question 5

Describe the sentence- community service

Answer 5

COMMUNITY SENTENCE -
Community sentences are designed to make sure the reasons for the offence are addressed - and prevent more offences in the future.
In many cases, offenders have to do unpaid work in the community, to repay their neighbourhood for their crimes. This is called ‘Community Payback’.
Offenders who get community sentences can be ordered to:
carry out between 40 and 300 hours unpaid work as ‘Community Payback’; this requires them to work hard and lose much of their free time get training so they can find a job complete a treatment programme - to deal with anger control, drug or alcohol abuse, for example avoid specific activities, like visiting pubs or football matches
live within a curfew that restricts the times they can leave their homes, monitored by wearing an electronic tag
live at a specific place
get mental health treatment, if they agree have regular meetings with a probation officer to check their progress.

Question 6

Describe a prison sentence

Answer 6

PRISON SENTENCE -
Suspended sentences - A court may give an offender a ‘suspended’ prison sentence if the time they would otherwise spend in prison is under 12 months. With a suspended sentence, the offender doesn’t go directly to prison - but they do have to meet conditions in the community, set by the court.
For example, the offender on a suspended sentence may have to: live within a curfew, which restricts the times they can go outside, do unpaid work for the community (called Community Payback), be supervised by a probation officer, stay away from certain places or areas have treatment for drug, alcohol or mental health problems.
Determinate sentences - If a court fixes the length of a prison sentence, it’s called a ‘determinate’ sentence. For example, a judge may say an offender is sentenced to six years.
Indeterminate sentences (including life sentences)
A court can give a sentence setting the minimum time the offender must spend in prison - but not an end point. This is called an ‘indeterminate’ sentence.

Question 7

Describe what a formulation is

Answer 7

Formulations take place after the offender has been sentenced. The main purpose of a psychological formulation is the assessment and treatment of offending behaviour.

Question 8

What are the two main reasons a formulation is carried out

Answer 8

To understand the offender and assess the risk capability of an individual re-offending behaviour (offence analysis)
• Consider whether or not an offender would suit a treatment programme and which programme is suitable, in which to try to minimise the risk of future offending.

Question 9

WHAT IS AN IDIOSYNCRATIC FORMULATION?

Answer 9

• it is a formulation based on the INDIVIDUAL’S specific circumstances and factors.

Question 10

Describe what offence analysis is

Answer 10

To understand the offender initially a psychologist will need to understand the nature of the offence. This is known as offence analysis. This involves a process of looking and researching similar offences. The idea is to find a similar offence and draw conclusions from that about different offenders who have carried out a similar crime- these are called contingencies.
By understanding contingencies psychologists can hopefully have an insight as to what has motivated the offender to carry out a crime.

Question 11

What are the 3 main phases of formulations

Answer 11

1. Offence Analysis
   Understanding the nature of the offence
   Researching similar offences
2. Understanding the functions of the offending
   How does the offence serve the offender is a what motivates them to commit the crime? Monetary gains? Feeling in control over someone 7) Prychological Theory can be useful here e.&. have they see others rewarded for the behaviour?
3. Application to treatment
   What sort of intervention/ treatment might be useful to offender to reduce risk of re-offending?

Question 12

• Sam has been sentenced for burglary, he has carried out several crimes of the same nature, where he has used a weapon to threaten a shop manager and then has stolen a lot of money. In some cases he has, he has physically assaulted the shop manager. Explain how offence analysis will help a psychologist understand Sam’s criminal behaviour [4 marks]

Answer 12

• During the offence analysis stage, the psychologist will need to try to understand the nature of Sam’s offences. This will involve researching offences similar to what Sam has committed like burglary using a weapon to help them gain insight as to what motivated Sam to carry out the crime.
• By analysing the offences that Sam committed, the forensic psychologist will be able to assess the risk of Sam re-offending and committing new burglaries and assaults. The psychologist will also be able to suggest ways in which Sam might be able to reduce the risk of committing further burglaries and assaults.

Question 13

Describe ethical guidelines to be adhered to by psychologists when completing formulations - Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) principles for undertaking the psychological, formulation and intervention.

Answer 13

•To be able to practise safely and effectively within their scope of practice
•To be able to practise as an autonomous professional, exercising their own professional judgement
•To understand the application of psychology in the legal system
•To understand the application and integration of a range of theoretical perspectives on socially and individually damaging behaviours, including psychological, social and biological perspectives

Question 14

• Bob has just qualified as a forensic psychologist. He has been asked by his manager to complete a formulation on Darron, who has recently been accused of murder. Explain how Bob’s professional registration with HCPC will enable him to complete a formulation (4 marks)

Answer 14

• :As a qualified forensic psychologist, Bob will understand a range of theoretical perspectives in order to understand and explain Darron’s socially and individually damaging behaviours, in order to carry out a formulation. Firstly, Bob may establish if there are any social reasons why Darron’s behaviour lead to murder by asking about his early experiences in life; what his family set up is or if there were any traumas in his life. Bob may apply his psychological knowledge to establish if there were any biological reasons why Darron committed the murder, for example if he had any brain injuries or mental health problems. This will enable Bob to advise if Darron would be suited to a particular treatment. Bob also understands the application of psychology in the legal system and therefore the how to write a formulation to help explain Darron’s complex behaviours to the Court and help the court pass sentence on Darron.

Question 15

Identify some of the potential issues that could contribute to an offender not opening up when developing a formulation

Answer 15

Social Desirability - the offender may answer in a way that make him/her look good. This may invalidate the assessment meaning that the formulation & treatment prescribed is not suitable.
This might be because the offender is:
Ashamed of what they have done
Is afraid of the consequences.

Question 16

Outline the advantages of carrying out a psychological formulation

Answer 16

• A strength formulations are completed in a diagram format as shown above are easy to complete and can simplify the complexities of information that is obtained when working with an offender. By reducing the behaviour to simpler forms it can help professionals to make decisions about the individual’s future.
• Most importantly it is useful of explaining to the offenders themselves about their own behaviour and how their own individual circumstances have contributed towards themselves carrying out a crime. Undertaking a formulation can be the first step in supporting an offender to making changes to their behaviour in their treatment programmes.

Question 17

Outline two disadvantages associated with a psychological formulation

Answer 17

• Difficulties with formulations can be encountered when offenders are not forthcoming with information. There are several reasons why an offender may not want to discuss their issues with a psychologist.
• Another weakness with regard to formulations is that it can include any known medical or mental health diagnosis. However, some individuals might have a disorder that is not known, and therefore cannot be reported, which may be influencing their behaviour. For example, they may be unaware that there is a biological factor, such as serotonin levels. As such, the range of information gained from talking can still be limited and therefore not provide a fully holistic understanding.

Question 18

Assess the effectiveness of using psychological case formulations as part of treating offenders. [8 marks]
(Write this on a separate piece of paper and staple it in)

Question 19

•Describe what the Cognitive Behavioral principles are that underpin Anger Management

Answer 19

Anger management programmes are developed upon the psychological principles of CBT.
In essence CBT (linking to Clinical Psychology topic) is based upon a process model which suggests that thoughts (cognitions) can impact on your feelings which in turn impact on your behaviour.
So in essence the model which underpins CBT implies that if you think negatively you will in turn feel negatively and therefore will behave accordingly.

Question 20

What are the three main stages in CBT for anger management programmes

Answer 20

• Part 1: Cognitive Preparation (identify what situations that provoke anger & challenge the thoughts) change offender’s AGGRESSIVE THOUGHTS into more positive ones which would therefore reduce the chance of aggressive behaviour.
• Part 2: Skill Acquisition (Learning to relax: deep breathing) The BEHAVIOURAL aspect of an anger programme like this is to develop strategies for controlling. their anger.
• Part 3: Application Practice (practicing new skills to control anger) Using role play to practice coping with provocation, consider how their lives will improve if they learn to control their anger and aggression.
• Idea of anger management based upon (BT principles would be to change offender’s AGGRESSIVE THOUGHTS into POSITIVE ones which would therefore REDUCE THE CHANCE OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR.

Question 21

Key Study: Ireland (2000) Assessing the Effectiveness of Anger Management

Answer 21

Method: Quasi Experiment taking advantage of two naturally occurring groups
Sample:
• Experimental group - 50 young male prisoners who had completed the anger management course
• Control group - 37 young male prisoners who had been assessed as suitable for such a course but had not actually completed one
• The two groups were matched in terms of age, offence and level of angry behaviours reported prior to completing the course.
Procedure:
Both groups were assessed on two measures 2 weeks before the start of the course and eight weeks later:
• 1) A Prison Officers’ behavioural checklist (the Wing Behavioural Checklist)-
• 2) An anger management assessment questionnaire, which was a self report. questionnaire completed by the prisoners,
RESULTS
• Prison Officers’ checklist - There was a significant reduction in angry behaviours in the experimental group
• Anger management questionnaire - The experimental group scored significantly lower on self-reported angry behaviours after completion of the course.
• Overall
• 92% of the prisoners in the experimental group showed improvement on at least one measure
• 42% on two measures
• 8% showed deterioration on both measures upon completing the
course
CONCLUSION
• In the short term the anger management programme could be considered a success and significantly reduced disruptive/angry behaviour in prisoners WHILST IN PRISON.
• However, there is no later re-conviction data so we cannot know if the programmes effects were sustained after leaving prison.

Question 22

Strengths of Anger Management Programmes

Answer 22

•Based upon psychological principles - such as CBT. This indicates that the treatments are therefore based upon SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE,
•Reliable as programmes follows set procedures.
•programmes are useful as they provide an effective means of reducing antisocial behaviour, particularly whilst a person is in prison.
•Ethical treatment as it can be argued that is able to empower & educate clients,

Question 23

Limitations of Anger Management Programmes

Answer 23

•Reductionist focuses on the thought processes of the offender only(may overlook situational/ biological factors)
•Effectiveness of anger management programmes is limited. This is because, some researchers argue that there is not always link between anger and violent crime (sometimes violent crimes are planned)
•Effectiveness is hard to judge - e.g.almost always used in conjunction with other treatment programmes. Establishing cause and effect is very difficult.
•Lack of research into whether or not these programmes have any long-term benefits in preventing recidivism (re-offending).

Question 24

• Benito carried out some research into the effects of anger management treatment with offenders. He recorded the number f aggressive acts offenders displayed. The offenders who had anger management treatment had a mean score of 3.4 aggressive acts. The offenders who did not have anger management treatment had a mean score of 7.9 aggressive acts.

Answer 24

• Mann Whitney U Test (1)
• Benito was looking for a test of difference in aggressive acts between the offenders who had completed anger management course and those who had not (1)
• The data was Unrelated because the offenders only did one condition - they were either in the anger management group or not (1)
• The data is ordinal because the number of aggressive acts can be ranked. (1)

Question 25

• Helen works in a prison with offenders who have committed burglary. She is considering using a cognitive-behavioural treatment for the offenders.
• (a) Describe how one behavioural cognitive treatment programme could be used by Helen for the offenders at the prison. (4)

Answer 25

Helen will aim to give the burglars insights into their thought processes, and how they influence their committing the burglary
(1). She will aim to change the burglar’s thoughts when confronted with situations that may lead to burglary to more pro-social thoughts (1). Helen will lead the session at Egton prison and she can work with individual burglars, or small groups of burglars (1).
Helen will see each group of burglars once a week at Egton prison and she will offer the burglars a set number of sessions e.g. 12 weeks (1).

Question 26

What is the difference between male and female offenders in percentage?

Answer 26

In 2013 the government carried out an extensive review and found that 80% of all offenders are male whilst 20% are female.

Question 27

What is the peak age for males to carry out offending behaviour?

Answer 27

17

Question 28

What hormone do males have more of - which is linked to aggressive behaviour?

Answer 28

TESTOSTERONE

Question 29

Describe hormone treatment

Answer 29

The administration of female hormone
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE (MPA) decreases the functioning of testosterone,
• Has been investigated as a way of reducing testosterone males.
• MPA brings about a reduction in:
• Sexual drive
• Deviant sexual fantasy,
• Possibly aggression.
• However, there are side effects of MPA which include:
• Breast enlargement
• Weight gain
• Decreased sperm production
• Gall bladder and gastrointestinal problems.
• This makes it more likely an individual will decline such treatments when they are offered

Question 30

Use research evidence which to indicate effectiveness treatment for offenders

Answer 30

MALETZKY (2006) Assessed the Effectiveness of Drug Treatment - Hormones.
Aim - To evaluate the offenders who had been assessed for appropriateness of MPA on or just before release.
The study followed up offenders who had:
1. Been on MPA
2. Men who were recommended MPA (but didn’t get it)
2. Men thought not to need MPA
In order to assess the outcomes of being on MPA or not.
Method -
• This was a RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW
• because it looked back over the history of the 275 inmates after their release
Results - It was found that those offenders who had received MA committed fewer new offences and NO new sexual offences compared with the other two groups. They also Committed fewer parole violations, did not retur to prison and were seen to be doing well more often than those males who did not receive MA.
Conclusion: The conclusion was those that recommend to receive and were receiving
MPA were less likely to re-offend than those recommend it but not taking it. it seemed that MA did reduce sexual drive because even when there were reoffences, they were non-sexual ones

Question 31

EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT - HORMONE TREATMENT
Strengths

Answer 31

•Supported by research to confirm its effectiveness - the treatments are therefore based upon SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE, Conclusions also supported by other research e.g. Emory et al.
(1992) or Turner et al. (2013)
•(Use of psychological knowledge within society). Benefit for society since recidivism rates had reduced by the use of the treatment.
•MMPA has been used to typically treat male sexual offenders as a means of reducing sexual drive and therefore decreasin the sexual need.

Question 32

EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT - HORMONE TREATMENT
Limitations

Answer 32

•Ethical issues are associated with hormone treatment, (the full extent of these long term side effects are unknown)
•Some offenders are required to take the drug as part of their supervision requirement which poses ethical issues
•Ethical issue related to the administering of taking a drug as part of a treatment is that in some cases to ensure an individual takes the drug they have to be restrained (impacts on an individual’s freewill as to how they make a decision on treatment)
•Hormone treatments are regarded to be REDUCTIONIST (ignores social and cognitive factors that can also impact on an individual).