A Randomized Controlled Trial of ACT-P Versus T4C for Community Reentry

NCT05109689 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 19-569-00
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 400
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of the proposed study is to determine the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for prisons (ACT-P) and Thinking for a Change (T4C) as reentry programs in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Conditions

Criminal Behavior; Violence

Keywords

Cognitive behavior therapy; Community reentry; Recidivism

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Rearrests, convictions, and reincarcerations

  Criminal activity

  3 years post-release

Study Arms (2)

ACT-P

EXPERIMENTAL

ACT-P is a cognitive behavioral program based on acceptance and commitment therapy, and it has been modified for use in the prison setting.

Behavioral: ACT-P

T4C

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Thinking for Change (T4C) is an evidence-based cognitive behavioral program focused on changing criminal thinking.

Behavioral: T4C

Interventions

ACT-P BEHAVIORAL

ACT-P consists of five modules. The Big Picture sessions are interwoven throughout the 24 sessions to introduce the main concepts of the curriculum, such as values identification and awareness of criminal behaviors. The Emotion Regulation and Cognitive Skills modules focus on awareness of internal experiences; learning new ways to respond to internal experiences; identifying and stepping back from problematic/criminal thoughts and beliefs; awareness of behaviors in service of values versus behaviors in service of control/avoidance; and identifying steps for behavior change. The Behavioral Skills module focuses on practicing prosocial behaviors, such as speaking and listening effectively and conflict resolution. Finally, the Barriers to Change module addresses environmental or life circumstances that can hinder successful behavior change (e.g., toxic masculinity, substance use, and parenting difficulties).

ACT-P

T4C BEHAVIORAL

T4C is an integrated cognitive behavioral change program authored by Drs. Jack Bush, Barry Glick, and Juliana Taymans under a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC). The program is based on the principle that thinking controls how people act, and that to change the way people act, they have to control their thinking. T4C systematically presents the concept that thoughts cause one's behavior, and offenders learn to identify their own thought patterns that lead to risky behavior, and then to replace those maladaptive thoughts with new ones. T4C incorporates research from cognitive restructuring theory, social skills development, and the learning and use of problem solving skills.

Also known as: Thinking for a Change

T4C

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• deemed medium or high risk according to the Iowa Risk Revised
• eligible and appropriate for cognitive programming as determined by normal operating procedures

You may not qualify if:

• court-mandated to either program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Iowa State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Fort Dodge Correctional Facility

Fort Dodge, Iowa, 50501, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Criminal Behavior; Recidivism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants will be randomized into either ACT-P or T4C, two group programs that will run simultaneously.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 27, 2021
• First Posted: November 5, 2021
• Study Start: February 21, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: December 30, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-12

Locations

US (1)