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Chaos Theory and Correctional Treatment

Common Sense, Correctional Quackery, and the Law of Fartcatchers

University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada, paulgend{at}nb.aibn.com

Paula Smith

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Yvette L. Thériault

Beresford, New Brunswick, Canada

Despite a substantial empirical literature on what works in offender treatment, programs based on common sense dominate the corrections landscape. We explain how commonsense approaches have led to correctional quackery (CQ) and draw on chaos theory to show that there is actually an underlying order to what appears to be a literature in complete disorder. Specifically, it is proposed that the law of fartcatchers can account for a significant amount of the CQ that occurs in corrections. A brief history of the conditions that led to the development of the law is provided, and we trace how it has evolved over time. Finally, the long-term viability of the law and whether its influence can be mitigated is discussed.

Key Words: offender • treatment • chaos • common sense • correctional quackery

This version was published on November 1, 2009

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Vol. 25, No. 4, 384-396 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1043986209344552


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