Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, PsyD (Cermak Health Services)
Description: Part of the Applications of Motivational Interviewing series, book describes how motivational interviewing can be used with offenders and considers the therapeutic relationship and how to enhance sincere behavioral changes.
Purpose: The purpose is to show "how motivational interviewing (MI) can help offenders move beyond resistance or superficial compliance and achieve meaningful behavior change." Using this evidence-based approach "promotes successful rehabilitation and reentry by drawing on clients' values, goals, and strengths—not simply telling them what to do."
Audience: Although no specific audience is identified, it appears that clinicians working in the criminal justice system would benefit greatly from this material. The authors include Jill Stinson, an assistant professor at East Tennessee State University and associate editor of Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, and Michael Clark, director of the Center for Strength-Based Strategies in Michigan and a board member of the International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology.
Features: The book starts with describing motivational interviewing as a collaborative process with acceptance being the foundation of the relationship. The therapist must express empathy and compassion in order to set the stage for real change. Active listening is a key component of the therapeutic process, which can be seen in terms of eye contact, facial expression, and undivided attention. The client must be engaged and able to develop positive goals to work on and move toward change, despite being ambivalent about the process. The therapist should communicate that there may be hindrances along the way. It is expected that clients may be resistant to change. The book is easy to read and practical. It contains figures, tables, and boxes which help clarify the text.
Assessment: This excellent book provides practical suggestions on how to apply motivational interviewing concepts with offenders. The goal is not just superficial compliance, but real change to help decrease recidivism. This book should be in the libraries of clinicians working in the criminal justice system.
"MI has deservedly gained a substantial national and international following because of its positive pathways to creating change. This clearly written, easily accessible book—with examples throughout—explains the philosophy, rationale, strategy, and tactics of applying MI in criminal justice and related settings. Mental health and criminal justice professionals and students who are interested in correctional rehabilitation, probation and parole, offender reentry, restorative justice, or alternative dispute resolution should view this book as essential reading."—Bruce D. Sales, PhD, JD, ScD (h.c.), Virginia L. Roberts Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Indiana University Bloomington "This is a book that many of us have been anticipating for a long time. MI is one of a small number of true evidence-based (and strengths-based!) success stories in offender rehabilitation. This book brings the technique alive in a way that I hope will transform theory and practice in the field."—Shadd Maruna, PhD, Professor of Criminology, University of Manchester, United Kingdom "Comprehensive, practical, and easy to read. Motivational Interviewing with Offenders addresses all aspects of the offender change process—assessment, treatment, case management, and supervision. Everything one needs to apply MI is contained in this book. It should be mandatory reading for clinicians; students and interns; parole, probation, and correctional officers; residential staff members; and program administrators and supervisors. Even the most experienced change agent will benefit from the book's respectful approach and plentiful, very helpful examples."—Pamela M. Yates, PhD, Cabot Consulting and Research Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada "Whether you deliver direct treatment or offender supervision services, manage programs responsible for achieving improved offender outcomes, or design systemwide interventions to improve public safety, this refreshingly readable book articulates a proven way forward. While a court may order treatment, it cannot order lasting change—commitment to real change and long-term recovery is always a choice. This book outlines the essentials for helping an offender to make that choice and move from conflict, to compliance, to commitment. I highly recommend it for anyone working with justice system–involved individuals, and especially those working in treatment courts."—Terrence D. Walton, MSW, CSAC, Chief Operating Officer, National Association of Drug Court Professionals "Stinson and Clark beautifully illustrate an empirically guided intervention approach that is respectful of offenders' autonomy and capacity to change. They convincingly demonstrate how MI is able to provide people who have committed crimes with the internal and external resources to enhance their quality of life and reduce the chances of further harm to the community. The book is beautifully written, scholarly, and accessible to practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. In my view, this is one of the most important books of the decade on offender rehabilitation."—Tony Ward, PhD, School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
