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Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Young Adults, and Community Corrections: Pathways for Innovation (2018)

Innovating in community corrections sometimes seems like an impossible task. The field’s challenging population, underresourced and overworked agencies, and the disconnect between cutting-edge research and frontline realities often result in stagnation where innovation is needed the most. There is, however, another way. In this paper, we review a collaborative effort to tackle one of community corrections’ most troubling challenges: the shortage of effective tools to reduce the infamously high recidivism rates among young adults. The design of a new cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) curriculum tailored to the needs of this specific population is not only an important addition to the field’s toolbox, but also a new path in community corrections innovation.