Preventing Crime- Helping Criminals Through Cognitive Restructuring
The subsequent illustration and inquiries are an example of the text and curriculum found in a Crime Prevention Cognitive Lifeskills Workbook.
Jason was born in 1958. His grandfather, Ralph Johnson, had a terribly negative influence on all of his children and grandchildren except for Jason, his first cousin Becky and some other cousins. The rest of the Johnson clan was caught up in narcotic abuse, anger, burglary, brutality, prostitution, welfare, ruined relationships, and many other crimes and negative experiences. His mother, a drug addicted prostitute, was gone for lengthy periods of time, abandoning the children and suffering them to survive on their own.
Jason once robbed a car dealership. He was sent to juvenile detention and during his stay he began a cognitive life skills class similar to this one. Because of his willingness to change, the class had a big impact on him. He was tired of street dwelling, misery and wondering how to get the next meal.
When Jason was released, he soon reported to his probation officer. She asked him the things he had learned from the life skills class. He explained to her:
� I was going in a similar direction as the rest ofmy family�addictions, prison, anger, and ruin. Subconsciously I had been programmed with the lies that I was no good and was the lowest of low. I figured out that I'm a great deal better than I ever thought . I also learned that coming from an abusive home wasn�t my fault.
� I learned that regardless of the fact that I did not have power over my early development, I do have control over my future. I become a new man every day and I can forgive the damages done to me. I can make the choice to forgive and forget so that I can go on with my life. My past doesn't determine my future.
� I learned that I can�t keep on blaming my mom, dad, or others for my problems. Life is rarely fair and I have to create the best out of each situation. The only I have to move my life forward is to let go of the past.
� The Lifeskills class taught me that I'm a deserving man and I have great potential, that my life is wonderful gift full of a number of new and exciting chances, and that I have the ability to defeat the drug problem if I want to.
� I learned that being beaten, flung into walls, scalded with cigarettes, going hungry, feeling shame and living inconstant fear can help me become an improved, more caring person. I learned that difficulty and conflict can help me grow stronger, if I desire to learn from each experience.
� And lastly, I learned that I'm the captain of my own ship. I can direst it whereever I wish. If I refuse to adjust my course I will resume suffering the terrible consequences of my actions and life will only get harder and harder until I change my course or die.
Questions:
1) Jason was a sufferer; as a child he had no control over his family or surrounding. As a grown-up, what are his responsibilities? _______________________________________________________________
2) Are there many individuals in America who have been emotionally damaged from childhood? ________ Name some of the results of childhood abuse? _______________________________________________________________
3) Does Jason have a chance to develop into a successful man? ______ Will it be easy? ______ Will the rewards be worth the work? ________
4) Life is summerized in a simple phrase. It states, �If you continue doing what you have been doing, you will continue getting what you have been getting.� If Jason's family keeps on taking drugs and stealing, what will they keep to receive? _____________________________________________________________
5) How will they ever be able to correct what they are getting? _____________________________________________________________
6) If you happened to ask one hundred individuals why they are here on earth, and what they desire from life before they die, what would be their answer? ______________________________________________________________
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About the Author: Decades ago, Larry Lloyd founded the American Community Corrections Institute. ACCI sponsors a news blog about anger management and related issues.
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