Digital Gaming and Corrections: Examining the Potential Uses for Offender Rehabilitation and Well- Being

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1 Digital Gaming and Corrections: Examining the Potential Uses for Offender Rehabilitation and Well- Being Jeffrey Pfeifer Steve Conway University of Technology

2 Presentation Overview Cognitive Skills: Traditional Challenges: - Defining the Role of Cognitive Skills - Defining Cognitive Skills - Program Delivery Challenges Corrections & Technology Proposed Program Sample Game 2

3 1789 First case in Australia citing mental incapacity to stand trial and the use of an expert to speak on the issue (R. v. Gordan) Daniel Gordon of Sydney Cove charged with theft of money and clothing. At trial, the Principal Surgeon (John White) testified that the prisoner appeared delirious, had an irregular pulse, a warmth of the face, a cold sweat, and a wildness of eyes. Based on this information the Court found that the prisoner was not in a state of mind to be put on trial and he was sent to a hospital 1854 Newspaper article from the Sydney Morning Herald suggests that legal cases involving insanity should be a matter for psychologists rather than general (medical) practitioners 3

4 1864 Newspaper article from the Argus (Melbourne) is the first to mention the need for using forensic psychology as part of the trial process (R. v. Harrison) 2011 Establishment of first Forensic Psychology Undergraduate Course in Australia at University also only Australian public university with graduate programs in forensic psychology 4

5 The Long and Winding Road Is there a way to bring together the worlds of forensic psychology, gaming, technology, industry needs, and government regulation to address the issue of cognitive skills programming effectiveness? Partnership: University Psychology, Gaming & Interactivity, Media G4S Robot Circus (Melbourne) 5

6 Cognitive Skills: Traditional Challenges Challenges: Defining the Roll of Cognitive Skills significant confusion surrounding whether the purpose of enhancing cognitive skills (and associated programs) is core/basic skilling, therapeutic, reintegration and/or some other purpose. 6

7 Cognitive Skills & Education (1970 s/80 s) Research by educational psychologists indicates that the educational success of a child is linked to his or her ability to, cognitively understand and process the information provided through the teaching experience as well as to apply this knowledge outside of the learning environment (i.e., having the core skills to learn as well as successfully integrate within society) 7

8 Text line Cognitive Skills Programs & Corrections: The Tail Wagging the Dog???

9 Suggested Response: Important to note that the original purpose of cognitive skills programs was core/basic skilling & integrative (hence re-integrative by extension). As such it is suggested that the role of cognitive skills within the forensic context: return to its original purpose (i.e., ensuring that offenders have the cognitive tools to allow for more successful integration and re-integration include skills that are criminogenically related to their situation 9

10 Defining Cognitive Skills within the Forensic World Significant confusion remains surrounding what are the relevant and evidence-based cognitive skills as they relate to corrections. 10

11 Cognitive Skills Related to Learning Locus of Control Self-Regulation Self-Esteem Cognitive Distortions Life Problem-Solving Application to Juvenile Offenders Moral Reasoning Risk/Sensation Thinking Impulsiveness Social Problem Solving Attitudes Application to Adult Offenders Empathy Conflict Resolution Anti-Social Behaviour 11

12 Sample of Cognitive Skills Programs (Evidence) Reasoning & Rehabilitation (14) Moral Reconation Therapy (5) Think First (3) Cognitive Skills (0) Offending is Not the Only Choice (0) STOP (2) For a Change (1) Enhance Thinking Skills (0) T4C (11) Interactive Journaling (0) Family Centered Cognitive Skills Program (0) EQUIP (1) Adult Cognitive Skills Life Home Study Course (0) Offence-Focused Problem Solving Program (0) 12

13 Suggested Response: Important to identify the core/basic cognitive skills that are lacking in offenders and that are empirically linked to criminogenic needs (and subsequently recidivism). Pfeifer & Trounson (CS-CAT): (note order) Problem Recognition & Acceptance Openness to Intervention Locus of Control Basic Decision-Making Capability Emotional Intelligence & Regulation Motivation & Resilience 13

14 Program Delivery Challenges revolve around a number of administrative, forensic and interpersonal challenges, including: cost program length offender transience offender apathy evaluation of impact application to real-life challenges of offenders in custody as well as those about to be released 14

15 Corrections & Technology Traditionally limited to: administrative tasks security issues & tasks playing games significant increase in the availability of technology to prisoners 15

16 Proposed Program: NEXT LEVEL Overarching Purpose to significantly enhance the core cognitive skills of offenders in a fashion that responds to the various challenges experienced both while in custody as well as upon release. 16

17 Proposed Program: Level-Up Program Specifics: 14 3-hour sessions (can be completed in 7 weeks) 12 specific modules relating to the 6 core cognitive skills as well as basic literacy, numeracy and life skills (e.g., obtaining public transit passes, purchasing a phone, opening a bank account, securing a license) Each session: 1 hour discussion/1 hour gaming/1 hour discussion 17

18 Each module includes a discussion of specific cognitive skills and the importance of enhancement, decision-points and responses, implications for decisions Examples: Decision-Making & Consensus Bias Purchasing Decisions Time Wasting Decisions (games in the game) 18

19 Game Specifics (Outside): Goals: - to offer an engaging and relevant platform to assist with the overt and covert cognitive skills learning experiences of offenders - to ensure that the gaming aspect is both practically applicable (i.e., reading level, security) and optically acceptable (i.e., a game that is not controversial politically) for a forensic context - to ensure that the game allows players to make the (obvious) right choices BUT not in a fashion that allows for simple compliance 19

20 Program Benefits: engaging low cost and quick impact measured within the gaming context responds to the needs of both offenders and those set for release 20

21 Associate Professor Jeff Pfeifer Chair Department of Psychological Sciences Thank You. Questions?