An evaluation of the ‘Think First’ program
| Date | 01 April 2013 |
| Published date | 01 April 2013 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0004865812469973 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Australian & New Zealand
Journal of Criminology
46(1) 88–100
!The Author(s) 2013
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DOI: 10.1177/0004865812469973
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Article
An evaluation of the
‘Think First’ program
Karen Burgoyne
Lithgow Correctional Centre, Australia
Graham Tyson
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Abstract
The Think First program was implemented in five NSW correctional centres between 2003
and 2007. This study is a longitudinal evaluation of Think First using the pre- and post-test
scores of four questionnaire measures (the Social Problem Solving Inventory – Revised;
Barratt Impulsivity Scale, version 11; Locus of Control Behaviour; and the Crime PICS, ver-
sion II), in a sample of 135 male participants. Significant change in a pro-social direction was
found on the Locus of Control Behaviour, all of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale and Crime
PICS II subscales and two of the Social Problem Solving Inventory – Revised subscales.
Completion of Think First improved impulsivity levels, criminal thinking styles and some
aspects of social problem solving ability. There appeared to be particularly positive effects
on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Locus of Control scores post-program.
Keywords
Aboriginal offender outcomes, cognitive behaviour program, offender rehabilitation, program
evaluation, social problem solving
Introduction
The Think First program was developed by James McGuire and targets social problem
solving in relation to offending behaviour. This program requires offenders to analyse
their own offending behaviours as problems that can be solved (McGuire, 2005). The
‘What Works’ body of literature points to evidence of a link between social problem
solving deficits and offending (Antonwiscz and Ross, 2005). It is believed that an indi-
vidual’s risk of offending is increased through the failure to apply effective problem
solving skills (McGuire and Hatcher, 2001). Think First was designed according to
the ‘What Works’ principles in that it is a structured, theoretically driven intervention
Corresponding author:
Karen Burgoyne, Lithgow Correctional Centre, PO Box 666, Lithgow, 2790, Australia.
Email: Karen.Burgoyne@dcs.nsw.gov.au
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