NCJ Number
147522
Journal
Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (Summer 1993) Pages: 33-46
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This review of Prendergast's 1991 volume Treating Sex Offenders in Correctional Institutions and Outpatient Clinics: A Guide to Clinical Practice is organized into three parts: sex offenders, therapist, and treatment.
Abstract
Prendergast emphasizes the importance of the analysis and treatment of the sex offenders' personality traits. The review advocates the operationalization of those traits into behaviorally defined terms and the derivation of specific treatment techniques from the operationalizations. Prendergast describes nine principles that should guide the interviews of sex offenders. Prendergast's recommendations concerning treatment approaches and characteristics of therapists are generally accepted in the treatment community. The review expands most of the suggested techniques and requirements from a behavioral perspective. The reviewer concludes that Prendergast's book is a guide for experienced therapists and emphasizes the need for firm and respectful acceptance of sex offenders, the use of scientific clinical psychology, and familiarity with the rapidly evolving scientific literature. Note and 15 references