EQUIP is based on years of scientific research which produced overwhelming evidence that most criminals share identifiable similarities in the way they think. These thinking errors are considered to be one of the root causes of crime. EQUIP helps clients learn to recognize and understand the errors in their thinking patterns and replace them with healthy alternatives. These alternatives will enable them to make better decisions and to handle everyday situations so that they experience more positive outcomes.

The concept of EQUIP was originally designed as a program for youth. It was titled Teaching Youth to Think and Act Responsibly Through Peer Helping Approach. It was developed by John Gibbs, Ph.D., a professor of Psychology at The Ohio State University; Granville (Bud) Potter, formerly with the Ohio Department of Youth Services; and Arnold Goldstein, Ph.D., a professor of Aggressive Replacement Training at Syracuse University. Dr. Randy Shively, a psychologist and assistant vice president at Alvis House, worked with Gibbs and Potter to adapt the program for use with adult offenders.

EQUIP helps clients break through the denial of their criminal behavior, accept responsibility for their thoughts and actions, and then learn to commit themselves to new ways of thinking. Clients also learn how to manage their anger and to develop improved social skills. Clients learn the concepts of EQUIP during group sessions where role playing is used extensively. Role playing helps clients internalize the concepts. Homework assignments are given to help improve skills between group sessions. Shively and Mary Horn, program coordinator, along with Dr. Gibbs, have also developed the "Equipped for Life" board game. The game was recently published by Research Press. Players get to advance in the game by correctly identifying thinking errors and replacing them with accurate thoughts and appropriate responses.

Shively and Horn have each client complete the How I Think Questionnaire prior to beginning the sessions. The questionnaire contains specific questions to aid them in targeting patterns which suggest problems in client's thought process. The questionnaire is given again at the completion of the program to determine if there has been improvement.

A recent study of questionnaires completed over a two-year period showed a significant decrease in thinking errors. Men in the program had a 30 percent "mean drop" in the number of thinking error identified, while women showed a 57 percent "mean drop." This compared favorably to a men's control group where the "mean drop" was 14 percent. (A women's control group of sufficient size was not available.)

The significant "mean drop" in thinking errors, combined with encouraging preliminary data on reduced recidivism among EQUIP graduates, has prompted Alvis House to train all of its staff in the use of EQUIP. It is hoped that by applying EQUIP concepts in other Alvis House programs, all clients will get the "equipment" they need to become successful and law abiding citizens in out community