Dr Ryan Botha1, Prof Devon Polaschek, Mx Tara Nicholls
1Department Of Corrections New Zealand, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Biography:
Dr Ryan Botha is a Neuropsychologist and Principal Adviser for Psychology Research at the Department of Corrections in New Zealand. Dr Botha worked as a Correctional Psychologist at Auckland South Correctional Facility (ASCF) before taking up a research based role within the Office of the Chief Psychologist in Wellington. His research interests include personality psychopathology, risk assessment, cross-cultural psychology, neuropsychology, and psychological treatment efficacy. Dr Botha's primary research focus is one ensuring equity in clinical risk assessment practice within New Zealand and his work in this area has been published in several international journals.
Abstract:
Violent offending programmes are widely implemented within correctional systems to reduce the risk of serious recidivism among high-risk individuals. However, evaluations have predominantly focused on recidivism outcomes, with comparatively little attention given to treatment-related change processes. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of Aotearoa New Zealand’s prison-based Special Treatment Units for Violent Offending (STU:VO) using an integrated process and outcome framework. In the first phase, changes in dynamic risk factors and psychological functioning were examined among men who completed treatment using pre- and post-treatment psychometric assessments (n = 142). In the second phase, the impact of programme participation on subsequent resentencing was evaluated using a propensity score matched comparison design. Participants demonstrated significant improvements across most dynamic risk and psychological domains. In addition, men who completed STU:VO treatment were less likely to be resentenced than matched comparison cases. Collectively, these findings provide converging evidence that STU:VO is associated with meaningful treatment-related change and improved post-release outcomes. By integrating process and outcome evaluation within a single study, this research extends the evidence base for intensive violence rehabilitation programmes in correctional settings.