Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a structured Correctional Management intervention can be feasibly implemented with incarcerated juveniles in a correctional institution. It will also assess whether the research procedures can be successfully carried out with this population.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Can participants be effectively recruited, retained, and engaged, and can the intervention be delivered acceptably with adequate therapist adherence and complete outcome data collection?
- Does the intervention demonstrate preliminary effectiveness? Researcher will compare an experimental (intervention) group to a control group receiving standard institutional management to see if the intervention can be practically delivered and is associated with initial changes in outcomes.
Participants will:
- Be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group
- Complete assessments at baseline (before the intervention) and post-intervention
- Attend structured intervention sessions (if assigned to the experimental group)
- Complete standardized self-report measures assessing emotional and behavioral difficulties, psychological capital, criminal thinking styles, attitudes toward seeking mental health services, emotion regulation, and moral disengagement
Description
This study is a parallel-group randomized feasibility trial designed to evaluate the practicality of implementing a structured Correctional Management Plan for juvenile offenders residing in a correctional institutional setting. The study will recruit a total of 30 participants, who will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an experimental intervention group or a control group receiving routine institutional management.
The primary objective of the trial is to assess the feasibility of implementing the intervention. The primary outcomes of this feasibility study include recruitment feasibility, retention/completion rate, participant adherence, intervention fidelity, and intervention acceptability.
Secondary exploratory objectives include estimating preliminary effects of the intervention on psychological and behavioral outcomes relevant to juvenile rehabilitation. These outcomes will be measured using standardized self-report instruments administered at two time points: baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately following completion of the intervention (post-intervention).
Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive a structured Correctional Management Plan consisting of 15 group-based sessions delivered twice a week, with each session lasting approximately 90 to 120 minutes. The intervention will be delivered by a qualified psychologist and will span approximately 7-8 weeks. The program follows a structured protocol incorporating cognitive-behavioral strategies, emotion regulation training, moral reasoning exercises, identity development components, and future orientation planning. Sessions include structured discussions, guided reflection, skill rehearsal, and behavioral accountability activities within a therapeutic group setting.
Participants assigned to the control group will continue to receive standard institutional management and routine services provided by the correctional facility during the study period. Eligible participants will be identified through institutional records.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male juvenile offenders aged 11 to 17 years
- Currently residing in a correctional institution
- Able to understand Urdu and participate in group-based sessions
- Provide informed assent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of a severe psychiatric condition requiring immediate or intensive clinical treatment
- Significant cognitive impairment or developmental condition that limits ability to engage in the intervention
- Currently receiving another structured psychological or behavioral intervention
- Medical or behavioral condition that would interfere with safe participation, as determined by institutional staff or the researcher
