Changing Criminal Thoughts into Better Choices
Upon hearing the latest juvenile crimes committed against society, law abiding citizens often ask themselves, “What were they thinking?”. The problem of juvenile behavior has grown in our society and seems to be perpetuating. One could easily say it is reaching epidemic proportions.
Perhaps, a better question that can lead to a solution is, “How were they thinking?” Decision-making is known to be a cognitive process that can be learned, however, many have not been exposed to information about the process. With this in mind a basic program was developed for court systems to educate offenders with a better decision-making process as a logical way to interrupt cycles of poor choices. In a two year study with over 500 juveniles who participated in the program, four out of five offenders did not return to court with new offenses within a three year period. This low recidivism rate underscores the premise that new decision-making skills can be used to help offenders rationalize prior negative behaviors that led to undesirable consequences and applied to gain positive results.
Courts from California to South Carolina have begun to send offenders to this cost-effective intervention which offenders can access through an online class to learn material and be tested for successful mastery of their knowledge. During the class a step-by-step process for Better Choices decision-making is taught. Participants learn to recognize and manage strong emotions that often interfere with reasoning. They are provided with specific questions to help them exercise judgment and guided to understand that they are responsible for their own actions. Real problems are used to demonstrate how poor choices lead to a loss of freedom, fun, and control over one’s life which is a key buy-in for change.
This common sense approach to reducing recidivism concentrates on changing negative behaviors by requiring juveniles to understand and gain new thought processes. Participants are responding with positive results.
Such as from, Marcus, age 14, “I have thought more about my decisions. I am managing my strong feelings by taking a deep breath and thinking things over.” Angie, age 12 reported, “I have made progress by not doing things I do not think about first. I learned that I need to step back and think about consequences before I do something.” Ryan, a 13 year old said, “The program showed me how to question my choices and take time to think about where choices lead me.”
Operating since 2001, Better Choices has given over 1,000 juvenile offenders with varied offenses including theft, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and vandalism the chance to change and they have completed the program through diversion, Teen Court sanctioning, mediation, etc. Courts are invited to try out a free trial to see how the program works. Please visit our website to discover this unique program now available -to all court systems-www.betterchoicesforall.com. Feel free to contact us for further information.
In a day of rising crime and rude behaviors we have overflowing detention centers and reduced funding. A court-ordered education in Better Choices decision-making skills that can be applied throughout life is a viable option for reducing recidivism and positively impacting our youth today as well as the community at large. Ultimately, Better Choices made by more people brighten the future for all.
