Standard psychiatric treatment programs have limited success in reducing recidivistic violent and criminal behavior in patients with persistent mental illness. A specialized, cognitive behavioral treatment program was developed for such a population. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to the patients' completing the program and to improve the selection criteria for program admission, so that those who participate are more likely to complete the program and be discharged. One hundred eighty-one patients with persistent mental illness with histories of aggression, crime, or both participated in a cognitive skills inpatient treatment program adapted for use with psychiatric patients. Ninety patients were able to complete the program and were discharged into the community. In comparison with the 91 who did not complete the program, those who did were less cognitively impaired and less impulsive. We present a new, intensive treatment program and define the predictors of successful completion of the program.