Psychometric dataset resulting from assessing firesetters and non-firesetter offenders using a battery of questionnaires designed to assess characteristics associated with firesetting. Then a specialist group treatment programme for firesetters was developed and implemented in prisons. The same questionnaires were used to assess improvements on deficits post treatment. Each week, criminal firesetting costs England and Wales over £42 million and results in 65 casualties (Arson Prevention Bureau, 2009). Astonishingly, professionals hold little knowledge of firesetters. This research will examine types of male firesetters, their treatment needs, and using this information, will develop, implement, and evaluate the first standardised treatment programme for firesetters. In Stage 1, firesetters and non-firesetter offenders will complete a battery of questionnaires designed to assess characteristics associated with firesetting. Here, statistical procedures will highlight natural subgroups of firesetters who share similar characteristics. Then, firesetters and non-firesetters will be compared on the questionnaires to see which characteristics differentiate firesetters from other offenders. In Stage 2, a specialist group treatment programme for firesetters will be developed and implemented in prisons. Questionnaires established at Stage 1 will examine each firesetter's deficits before entering the programme, and then will be used to assess improvements on these deficits post treatment. Any improvements made by firesetters in the new treatment will then be compared with the performance of a comparison group of firesetters who do not attend this treatment. The results of this research programme will highlight the main characteristics of firesetters and whether or not these can be treated successfully.

Participants filled out responses themselves or had questions read to them (depending on their preference). Data collection contains a Treatment group (n=54) and Control group (n=68). Treatment group were assessed before [time 1] and after [time 2] treatment (28 week programme) and after a follow up of approximately 3 months [time 3]. Controls were assessed, where possible, over an equivalent duration. There was a higher attrition rate for controls. Self reported demographic, offence, and treatment details Previous offences based on prison file information. Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding Impression Management scale (Paulhus,1991) Scales based on a five factor solution of multiple fire scales (Ó Ciardha et al., under review) Fire Knowledge Quiz (Ó Ciardha & Gannon, unpublished) The Measure of Criminal Attitudes and Associates (Part B; Mills & Kroner,1999) The Culture-Free Self-Esteem Inventory (Battle, 1992) The Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona,1980) The Novaco Anger Scale (Novaco, 2003) Provocation Inventory (Novaco, 2003) Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control (Nowicki, 1976) The Relapse Prevention Questionnaire Awareness Scale - Adapted for firesetting with permission from Beckett, Fisher, Mann, and Thornton (1998)