Moral reconation therapy (MRT) is a treatment framework that’s frequently used with people who are incarcerated. Its main goal is to prevent reoffending.
MRT views criminal behavior as the result of an underdeveloped sense of morality. Some critics say this view oversimplifies the systemic problems that can contribute to crime.
It’s important to remember that MRT is a structured program designed to promote positive social behavior. It’s not the same as mental health treatment.
Moral reconation therapy [1] (MRT) is a program created to help prevent people in the criminal justice system from reoffending (recidivism). Though widely used, evidence of its effectiveness is limited [2]. It’s also been widely critiqued [3] due to its focus on individual — as opposed to systemic — factors driving criminal behavior.
MRT is informed by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-step programming [4], and Kohlberg’s theory of moral development [5]. In MRT, people who have committed crimes are seen as morally “stunted” or stuck in a childlike stage [3] of moral development. Therefore, the main goal of MRT is to help people overcome moral deficits and “criminal thinking.” [2] It’s hoped that in doing so, they’ll adopt pro-social, law-abiding behaviors.
How moral reconation therapy works
Unlike traditional talk therapy, which can be more free-flowing, MRT is highly structured, and it’s delivered in a group setting. Participants are guided through exercises focused on the 12 steps of moral development [2]. These activities are intended to address things like:
Identifying and replacing unhelpful beliefs that may support criminal activity
Healing relationships that have been damaged due to criminal activity
Increasing distress tolerance and delaying gratification
Each person participating in MRT moves through the exercises at their own pace. Before they move on to a new step, they must complete assignments, often including presentations and asking other participants for feedback. It usually takes about 24 MRT sessions to complete all 12 steps of moral code development. The goal of these sessions is to help participants:
Create a positive self-image and identity
Learn positive social behaviors
Challenge and replace beliefs that promote criminal activity
Increase their moral reasoning so they can make better decisions
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When moral reconation therapy is used
MRT is typically used with people involved in the criminal justice system because it’s designed to decrease criminal behavior. It isn’t considered a form of psychiatric care or treatment for mental health concerns.
Some older, smaller studies [6] have demonstrated that MRT can reduce rates of reoffending. But these studies focused on populations for whom treatment is mandated. According to a newer meta-analysis [2], MRT may be no more effective than other forms of care for people in other settings. For example, when researchers studied the impact of MRT in a residential mental health facility, they found it to be no more effective than other typical forms of care like psychoeducation or traditional CBT.
Four things to consider about MRT
If you’re curious about MRT, here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Limited use case
The majority of the research on MRT has focused on incarcerated populations. So the impact it could have in other treatment settings is unknown. This distinction is important because most of the people participating in MRT aren’t doing so voluntarily [2].
2. Narrow (and potentially problematic) view of criminal behavior
MRT has been widely used within the criminal justice setting. But critics say its approach overlooks some systemic factors [4] that can lead to criminal behavior. Framing crime as the result of a moral deficit or “criminal thinking” places all of the blame on the person. It takes the view that everyone who commits a crime is selfish, antisocial, or morally bankrupt. But this simply isn’t true. Although it’s important to take personal responsibility for one’s behavior, crime happens in context. It can be a response to trauma, substance use challenges, and other systemic barriers that MRT doesn’t address.
3. May not be a fit for people with complex mental health needs
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness [7] (NAMI), about 2 in 5 incarcerated people have a mental health condition. This is more than double the rate of mental health concerns seen in the general population. MRT is a structured program with limited flexibility. It’s intended to change beliefs and behaviors in order to reduce recidivism. But it’s not meant as a form of mental healthcare. The large percentage of the incarcerated population who lives with a mental health concern can’t be adequately served with MRT alone.
4. Not customized for personal needs
In the world of mental health treatment, clinicians strive to “meet people where they are.” This means that they adapt the treatment process to reflect the needs, strengths, and challenges of each person they work with. But this sort of personalization is difficult to achieve within a highly structured program like MRT. In MRT, people move through the 12 steps at their own pace. But each step is highly specific and requires homework, presentations, and other activities. These requirements may not account for individual needs and preferences (like learning differences). MRT also tends to focus on deficits instead of personal strengths.
Moral reconation therapy focuses on changing thinking and behavior through moral reasoning, not on treating mental health conditions. Unlike psychotherapy, it doesn’t assess or address trauma, psychiatric symptoms, or underlying emotional drivers of behavior.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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Moral reconation therapy (MRT) has been widely used with people who are involved in the criminal justice system. Its main goal is to keep people from committing crimes again. MRT claims to accomplish this by helping participants identify thoughts and behaviors that may lead to criminal activity. It seeks to help people replace those behaviors with healthy, prosocial ones.
Although it’s been practiced for a long time, some people have challenged the appropriateness and effectiveness of MRT. While widely considered an evidence-based approach, there’s limited data on its efficacy outside of the criminal justice system. More research is needed to determine the impact of MRT in other settings — especially those where treatment isn’t mandated.
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References
- About MRT https://www.moral-reconation-therapy.com/about.html
- A randomized controlled trial of moral reconation therapy to reduce risk for criminal recidivism among justice-involved adults in mental health residential treatment https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9426716/
- A Meta-Analysis of Moral Reconation Therapy https://www.ccimrt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/International-Journal-of-Offender-Therapy-and-Comparative-Criminology-1.pdf
- Moral Reconation Therapy: Incompatible with Council on Social Work Education Competencies? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369471515_Moral_Reconation_Therapy_Incompatible_with_Council_on_Social_Work_Education_Competencies
- Kohlberg's theory of moral development: insights into rights reasoning https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11143871/
- Treating Juvenile Offenders and At-Risk Youth With MRT: Comprehensive Review of Outcome Literature https://www.moral-reconation-therapy.com/assets/juvenile-mrt-review.pdf
- Mental Health Treatment While Incarcerated https://www.nami.org/advocacy-at-nami/policy-positions/improving-health/mental-health-treatment-while-incarcerated/#:~:text=Why%20We%
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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