The purpose of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of individual and group-individual cognitive-behavioral interventions in decreasing psychological symptoms and enhancing psychological status of inmates at Rajaei Shahr Prison. To do this, a total of 180 male prisoners were selected randomly through systematic sampling method and they were allocated into three groups (concurrent group, individual group, and control group) with equal size Using GHQ and SCL-90-R tests as well as a diagnostic interview conducted by a psychiatrist. Participants' psychological status was also measured. Multiple analysis of variance indicated that effectivness of concurrent and individual therapies were much more than control group was. Follow up studies after 12 months showed the maintenance of treatment effect with no recitivism in individual and concurrent groups, while it was observed approcimately 15 percent recitivism in the control group. Replacing adaptive cognitive and behavioural patterns, provided a participant with a vast and suitable behavioural repertoire to face situations, and to act based on planning and foreseeing. Thus, by applying psychological interventions, particulary in group one, inmates's psychological problems can be reduced, and recitivism can be avoided.

Keywords: cognitive-behavioral intervention, individual therapy, group therapy, prisoner, psychological status

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