Summary

Programme evaluation is critically important to the advancement of correctional rehabilitation knowledge. Evaluation studies with specific and definable outcome criteria (e.g. recidivism) should provide the catalyst for programme improvement and evolution with the ultimate aim of increasing community safety. This will only be achieved through critical analysis of what programmes are effective and for who, and subsequently, what parts of those programmes are effective and why. With the answers to these questions we then have the potential to further increase the effectiveness of treatment programmes with the ultimate aim of increasing community safety.