This article reviews the evidence that has been produced on the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions (What Works), and in particular cognitive-behavioural programmes, with adult offenders in the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) in England and Wales. It summarizes evidence available in the period 2000—2004 and reviews developments since 2004. These include newly published evidence, critiques of and alternatives to an emphasis on programmes. It concludes that the evidence base has developed more slowly than was hoped and expected but that we have still some promising leads. A redirection of the research effort is needed.
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