A recent radical transformation in philosophy and practice utilized in the British prison, the offending behavior programs, has been credited with much of the revolution in penal policy. In this chapter, a historical and critical overview of a key element of the offending behavior program experiment, correctional cognitive behavioralism, is provided. Offending behavior programs rest on the notion that offenders have failed to internalize moral codes because they are either lacking key thinking skills or have distorted thinking. Cognitive behavioralism assumes that a person’s thinking or cognition affects his or her emotions and behavior. In this chapter, a critical history of psychology is conducted. It is argued that cognitive behavioralism has become dominant within corrections, not because it works to reduce offending but because it provides a method of governance corresponding with neoliberal political rationalities. It is intended to inform about the limitations and potential harms which follow in the adoption of cognitive behavioralism as a panacea in the treatment of offenders. A critical history of correctional cognitive skills suggests that the neglect of the social structure should not be surprising. Cognitive behavioralism is simply the current dominant operationalization of governance within corrections. As the political climate shifts, its legitimacy will become easier to question. Cognitive behavioralism will fall out of favor and other techniques will be experiemented with. References