Parole and Probation Officers receive training to enhance their social and cognitive skills to improve service delivery to clients through the ‘Thinking for a Change’ (T4C) programme in the British Virgin Islands.

The T4C programme is a cognitive-behavioral curriculum developed by the National Institute of Corrections in Aurora, Colorado. The Social Development Department spearheaded the training that allowed for eight officers to complete course work inclusive of cognitive restructuring, social skills development and development of problem-solving skills.

Officers who took part in the training that was held from September 5 to 8, originated from the Parole and Probation, Intake, and Community Development units of the Social Development Department.

The overall goal of the training is geared to help individuals take control of their lives by taking control of their thinking according to Chief Social Development Officer, Mrs. Annie Malone Frett.

Mrs. Malone Frett further stated that it is envisioned that with officers’ exposure to the training, an evidenced-based intervention program will commence with a view towards making available, and strengthening the necessary resources to rehabilitate offenders where possible.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Juliana Taymans, who is a co-author of the T4C programme. Thinking for a Change 4.0 (T4C) is an integrated cognitive behavioral change programme under a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC). T4C incorporates research from cognitive restructuring theory, social skills development, and the learning and use of problem solving skills.

T4C is provided by corrections professionals in prisons, jails, detention centers, community corrections, probation, and parole settings. The National Institute of Corrections has trained more than 10,000 individuals as T4C group facilitators, and more than 500 trainers who can train additional staff to facilitate the program with justice-involved clients.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide a caring and integrated system of health and social services that facilitates human development and improves the quality of life in the Virgin Islands.