The Topical Structure of the Academic Discourse on Criminal Recidivism

This study employs a corpus linguistics approach to examine the discourse of widely utilized recidivism prevention manuals, specifically the Cognitive Behavioral Interventions-Core Adult (CBI-CA) and Thinking for a Change (T4C) programs. The aim is to identify linguistic patterns, including keyness and collocation, that influence treatment efficacy and cultural responsiveness within offender counseling. The analysis utilized a synchronic design, incorporating two corpuses: the CBI-CA manual (23,421 words) and the T4C manual (41,541 words). Keyness analysis was performed using log-likelihood ratios to identify statistically significant lexical differences, and collocation networks were explored using the GraphColl module of #LancsBox. Preprocessing included text cleaning and removal of stopwords to ensure analytic precision. Results revealed that the CBI-CA manual emphasized motivational and psychoeducational language, exemplified by terms like “module,” “success,” and “worksheet,” while the T4C manual displayed a more institutional focus, as indicated by terms such as “lesson,” “supplement,” and “handout.” Collocation analysis highlighted differences in the framing of criminogenic factors, with CBI-CA emphasizing mental health and personal growth, while T4C centered on systemic and justice-related constructs. These findings underscore the importance of culturally attuned and linguistically sensitive approaches in evidence-based practices for recidivism treatment. Implications suggest potential refinements to curriculum design, enhancing both therapeutic efficacy and inclusivity. Future research should further explore the cross-cultural adaptability of treatment manuals to address systemic disparities in offender rehabilitation.