DIFFERENTIAL PROCESSING OF ABNORMAL SEX OFFENDERS UTILIZATION OF CALIFORNIA'S MENTALLY DISORDERED SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 61238
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 67 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1976) Pages: 233-243
• Author(s): G E DIX
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): GS-42604
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation
• Corporate Author: Williams and Wilkins Co
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS STUDY EVALUATES THE CALIFORNIA MENTALLY DISORDERED SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM WHICH DEALS WITH VIOLENT OFFENDERS, AND ASSESSES THE VALIDITY OF METHODS TO PREDICT CONTINUED DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR.

Abstract

FOR THE STUDY, RECORDS OF RANDOM SAMPLES OF MENTALLY DISORDERED SEXUAL OFFENDERS (MDSO'S) WERE EXAMINED AND ANALYZED TO DETERMINE WHAT KINDS OF MDSO'S ARE BEING TREATED BY THE CALIFORNIA PROGRAM. RESULTS SUGGESTED THAT MAINLY CHILD MOLESTERS WHO PREY ON FEMALE VICTIMS BUT USE NEITHER PHYSICAL FORCE OR THREATS OF FORCE AND WHOSE ACTIVITY INVOLVES MAINLY TOUCHING ARE CLIENTS. THEY FREQUENTLY HAVE NO OR ONE PRIOR CONVICTION. MOST OFFENDERS COULD BE PSYCHOLOGICALLY CLASSIFIED AS PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE AND DANGEROUS, ALTHOUGH DANGEROUSNESS. LITTLE CLEAR EVIDENCE EXISTS CONCERNING THE BASES ON WHICH THE TENDENCY TO CONTINUE TO COMMIT DANGEROUS ACTS IS DETERMINED, AND NO CLEAR GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE TO CLINICAL PERSONNEL FOR PROVIDING USEFUL INFORMATION TO THE COURTS. FOR SENTENCING PURPOSES, PAST BEHAVIOR PATTERNS, PROGRESSION FROM LESS TO MORE SERIOUS CRIMES, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PRESENT OFFENSE SEEM TO OFFER CLEARER GUIDELINES TO RECIDIVISM THAN DOES CLINICAL EVALUATION. TESTING, RESEARCH, AND FOLLOWUP ARE NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE ACCURACY OF THE PRESENT PREDICTIVE EFFORT. BECAUSE DOUBT EXISTS ABOUT THE ABILITY TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR THROUGH TREATMENT PROGRAMS, RESEARCH SHOULD ADDRESS NOT ONLY THE IDENTIFICATION OF HIGH RISK OFFENDERS, BUT ALSO THE IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE PROCESSING. THE EVALUATION SHOWS THAT SOME TRADITIONAL CONCERNS FOR DIFFERENTIAL PROCESSING WERE UNFOUNDED: THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PROGRAM LESSENED THE HARSHNESS OF CRIMINAL CONVICTION UPON SEX OFFENDERS. HOWEVER, OTHER CONCERNS WERE VALID. UNCLEAR DEFINITIONS OF THE ABNORMALLY DANGEROUS SEX OFFENDER RESULTED IN INCONSISTENCY IN DEALING WITH OFFENDERS; ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM COULD NOT ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF THE PREDICTIBILITY OF CONTINUED DANGEROUS CONDUCT; AND CLINICIANS CAN OFFER NO CLEAR GUIDELINES TO THE COURT ON THE HIGH RISK OFFENDER. (RFC)