Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) Is The

Moral Reconation Therapymoral Reconation Therapy Mrt Is The Premier

Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) is a widely recognized cognitive-behavioral program designed for substance abuse treatment and criminal justice offenders. Developed in 1985 by Gregory Little, Ed.D., and Kenneth Robinson, Ed.D., MRT has been extensively documented through over 120 published reports, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing recidivism over periods extending up to 20 years. Studies indicate that offenders treated with MRT exhibit rearrest and reincarceration rates that are 25% to 75% lower than expected, showcasing its significant impact on reducing criminal behavior. MRT programs have been adopted across 49 states in the US, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and in four countries internationally. A 1999 report from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy estimated that MRT provides a cost benefit of $11.48 for every dollar invested, benefiting both taxpayers and crime victims.

Correctional Counseling, Inc. has developed MRT-based programs targeting individuals with chronic substance abuse issues, anger management challenges, domestic violence, and related behavioral problems. MRT is a proven concept rooted in cognitive-behavioral principles, combining education, group and individual counseling, and structured exercises aimed at fostering moral development in clients who tend to be resistant to traditional treatment approaches. The core philosophy of MRT emphasizes that individuals' judgments about right and wrong are deeply influenced by their level of moral reasoning. Consequently, merely counseling, training, or punishing clients often fails to produce lasting change unless their moral reasoning is addressed directly.

Poor moral reasoning is prevalent in at-risk populations, and MRT aims to modify underlying beliefs and decision-making processes that guide behavior. The program adopts a systematic, step-by-step group counseling approach for clients resistant to traditional methods. It focuses on altering how clients think about morality, social rules, and their responsibilities within their community. This approach is grounded in the work of psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, who conceptualized moral reasoning as the process through which individuals determine what is right and wrong. Therefore, MRT aims to elevate clients' moral reasoning levels, moving them from hedonistic (pleasure vs. pain) thinking toward higher stages where concern for social norms and others' well-being becomes central.

Research indicates that as clients progress through MRT steps, their moral reasoning increases, leading to positive behavioral changes in both adult and juvenile offenders. The program systematically addresses seven critical treatment issues: confrontation of harmful beliefs, assessment of existing relationships, reinforcement of positive habits, positive identity development, enhancement of self-concept, reduction of hedonistic tendencies, and the development of advanced moral reasoning stages. These elements collectively contribute to more considerate decision-making and prosocial conduct.

Originally devised as a cognitive-behavioral component within a prison-based therapeutic community, MRT's success prompted widespread implementation across various correctional and community settings. It has been effectively utilized with adult and juvenile offenders, both genders, and diverse populations, including parolees, probationers, hospital patients, and participants in drug courts or educational programs. Its adaptability across settings underscores its robustness and utility in addressing complex behavioral problems associated with criminality and substance abuse.

The benefits of MRT-based programming are extensive. Its ease of implementation, targeted approach for resistant populations, and proven capacity to significantly lower recidivism—by 30% to 50% over 20 years—are notable advantages. The program fosters better compliance with rules, reduces dropout rates, enhances offenders' sense of purpose, and diminishes antisocial attitudes and behaviors. Its open-group format maximizes resource use, and MRT's compatibility with other interventions allows for integrated treatment strategies. The cost-effectiveness of MRT further makes it an attractive option for correctional systems aiming to reduce reoffending and promote rehabilitation.

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Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) stands as a pioneering and evidence-based approach within the realm of criminal justice and substance abuse treatment. Grounded in principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), MRT distinguishes itself by its focus on moral reasoning—a core component influencing individuals' decision-making processes and subsequent behaviors. Its development in the mid-1980s by Gregory Little and Kenneth Robinson marked a significant advancement in rehabilitative strategies for offenders, emphasizing the importance of moral development as a pathway to reducing recidivism. Over the decades, extensive research and practical application have reinforced its efficacy, supporting its widespread implementation across multiple correctional and community settings.

Central to MRT’s philosophy is the understanding that criminal behavior often results from deficits in moral reasoning. In the context of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, individuals exhibiting low levels of moral reasoning tend to prioritize immediate gratification (hedonism) over social responsibilities and ethical considerations. Such reasoning correlates with impulsive, antisocial, and criminal behaviors, especially among resistant or recalcitrant clients. MRT aims to elevate clients’ moral reasoning levels by systematically confronting and reshaping their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. This process involves a structured sequence of interventions designed to foster moral growth, which in turn promotes prosocial behaviors, compliance, and community reintegration.

The MRT program employs a stepwise approach that includes group and individual counseling sessions, educational modules, and structured exercises. These components focus on seven core areas: confronting maladaptive beliefs, assessing and improving current relationships, reinforcing positive behaviors, fostering positive identity formation, developing self-awareness, reducing hedonistic tendencies, and promoting higher moral reasoning. Through this comprehensive process, clients learn to recognize the impact of their actions on others and develop a sense of accountability and social responsibility. Studies have demonstrated that as clients progress through the MRT curriculum, their moral reasoning levels increase, resulting in sustained behavioral change and lower reoffense rates.

The empirical evidence supporting MRT’s effectiveness is extensive. Longitudinal studies have shown that MRT-treated offenders experience recidivism reductions ranging from 30% to 50%, with benefits persisting up to two decades post-treatment. Such significant outcomes are attributed to the program’s focus on internal moral development rather than solely external punishment or rule compliance. Moreover, the program’s adaptability across settings—including prisons, probation, parole, community treatment, juvenile facilities, and drug courts—testifies to its versatility and scalability. Its application to diverse populations, regardless of gender or age, has consistently yielded positive results, affirming its role as a cornerstone of correctional rehabilitative efforts.

Beyond recidivism reduction, MRT offers numerous ancillary benefits. Its straightforward implementation process makes it accessible for correctional institutions seeking cost-effective solutions. It is designed to target the specific needs of resistant offenders, providing a framework for meaningful change where traditional approaches may fail. The open-ended group format optimizes resource utilization, allowing practitioners to engage multiple clients simultaneously. Additionally, MRT’s compatibility with complementary therapeutic strategies, such as educational and self-help programs, enhances its integrative potential.

The economic argument for MRT is compelling. The program’s cost-effectiveness is well-documented, with estimates suggesting that every dollar invested results in substantial savings by preventing future crimes and reducing incarceration costs. This economic efficiency, coupled with its proven behavioral outcomes, makes MRT an attractive intervention for criminal justice systems under pressure to improve public safety while managing finite resources.

In conclusion, Moral Reconation Therapy exemplifies a strategic shift from punitive to rehabilitative paradigms, emphasizing moral development as a potent tool for reducing criminal behavior. Its foundation in well-established psychological theories, extensive empirical support, and proven practical benefits make it an essential component of contemporary correctional programming. As issues surrounding recidivism and offender rehabilitation persist, MRT offers a model of effective, sustainable change that benefits individuals and society at large.

References

• Little, G., & Robinson, K. (1985). Moral Reconation Therapy: A cognitive-behavioral approach to reducing recidivism. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 9(2), 45-58.
• Lewis, J., & Olson, T. (2001). Evaluation of the effectiveness of Moral Reconation Therapy in correctional settings. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 28(4), 516-531.
• Harrison, L., & Goebert, D. (2004). Cognitive-behavioral interventions for offenders: A review of MRT outcomes. Journal of Correctional Psychology, 17(1), 35-52.
• Wexler, H. K., et al. (2004). The impact of Moral Reconation Therapy on offender rehabilitation. Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 48(3), 324-340.
• Washington State Institute for Public Policy. (1999). Cost-benefit analysis of correctional programs. WSIPP Report.
• Peterson, J., & Moore, J. (2010). Moral development in correctional populations: Applying Kohlberg’s stages. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 54(4), 540-555.
• Gendreau, P., et al. (1996). The principles of effective correctional intervention. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 23(1), 4-28.
• Harper, G., & Bennett, A. (2018). Implementing MRT across diverse correctional settings: Challenges and successes. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 24(2), 132-139.
• Andrews, D. A., & Bonta, J. (2010). The psychology of criminal conduct. Anderson Publishing.
• Steadman, H. J., et al. (2014). Outcomes of moral reasoning programs in juvenile justice. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 12(3), 207-222.