Offending Is Not The Only Choice (OINTOC)

Offending Is Not The Only Choice facilitators were trained in 2002 by a trainer from the Cognitive Centre Foundation, United Kingdom.

OINTOC is 23 sessions in length, each session is for two hours and attendance is twice per week.

The program is based on research and theory, and targets thinking and behaviour that lead to offending. Worldwide research finds that programs such as OINTOC can reduce the crime rate.

Content

Participants in the program:

• are encouraged and taught skills to assist them to think and behave in ways generally accepted by the community
• consider the impact their offence has had for them and for other people
• practise the skills they are learning in their every day life

OINTOC teaches people knowledge of and skills in:

• communication
• problem solving
• the links between thoughts, behaviour and morals
• victim awareness

Assessment

The OINTOC program is for people on orders with Community Corrections.

Offenders who have been assessed as likely to commit more crimes are considered for the program.

Participation

Once selected for participation in the program, offenders must attend the program as a condition of their order with Community Corrections. If a participant stops attending the program, they are returned to court or the Parole Board for breaking a condition of the order.

Participants generally have provided positive feedback about their participation in the program.