BC Corrections behavioural programs

Individuals in custody and in the community may be enrolled in one or more of BC Corrections’ cognitive behaviour programs that are proven to reduce criminal behaviour.

On this page

• Targeting the roots of crime
• Programming for risks and needs
• What are Cognitive Behavioural Programs?
• Did you know?

Targeting the roots of crime

Cognitive behavioural programs help people improve their coping skills, learn how attitudes lead to behaviour, and develop more positive ways of thinking and reacting to the world around them. Our programs address:

• Substance misuse
• Violence
• Difficulties with relationships
• Sexually motivated offending

By overcoming these issues, people in custody and under community supervision learn to make better choices, practice pro-social thinking patterns, and develop safe support networks that help them make positive changes in their lives.

Programming for risks and needs

Correctional and probation officers deliver core programs to high- and medium-risk people based on their individual risk and needs assessments. Programs include:

• Substance Abuse Management: Uses practical strategies to reduce the negative consequences of substance abuse, ranging from safer use, to managed use, to abstinence
• Thinking Leads 2 Change: Helps medium- and high-risk women explore the roots of their thoughts, beliefs and emotions that led to their anti-social or criminal behaviour
• Living Without Violence: Helps individuals recognize the source of their anger, improve their communication skills and learn respectful, non-violent problem-solving
• Relationship Violence Prevention: Helps individuals identify abusive behaviour, understand its harmful impact and learn how to avoid it in relationships
• Treatment and Maintenance Programs for Sexually Motivated Offences: The initial treatment program is delivered by the Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission  and a follow-up maintenance program is delivered by trained probation officers to help retain and support what is learned during treatment

What are Cognitive Behavioural Programs?

Cognitive behavioural programs use systematic and goal-oriented teaching methods to help people improve their coping methods, learn how attitudes lead to behaviour and develop more positive ways of thinking and reacting to the world around them.

Did you know?

More than 60% of the individuals under provincial supervision have been diagnosed with mental health or addictions challenges.