Social and emotional skills training for drug addicted offenders

Various research studies have indicated that there is a strong link between social and emotional skills, drug abuse and criminal behavior. Several studies have shown that enhancing social and emotional skills can serve as an important protective factor to reduce drug and alcohol abuse. Some of the existing social skills training programs were adapted for the treatment of incarcerated drug offenders and their effectiveness in a prison setting was proven. In contrast, other training programs showed only small effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of a social skills training program which is part of the treatment in a specialized prison for convicted drug addicts. Results of the evaluation indicated that there is little evidence for the effectiveness of the implemented social skills training program. Subjects of the study showed higher general self-esteem but little improvement in essential social and emotional skills. Based on this experience the development of a new treatment program which targets important life skills, such as anger management and empathy is discussed.