NCJ Number
147087
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: special issue (March 1994) Pages: 55-71
Date Published
1994
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article describes a new national prison strategy for the assessment and treatment of sex offenders in England.
Abstract
The program's aim is to assess all sex offenders with sentences of 4 or more years and to provide treatment for those at high risk of reoffending. Both treatment evaluation and research on the sex-offender population are inherent parts of the program. Once at a prison assessment center, sex offenders are administered a standard assessment package designed to identify treatment needs and to establish baseline measures of various aspects of clinical functioning. The treatment program consists of a Core Program relevant for a repetitive sex offender, an Extended Program based on a battery of ancillary treatment options that meet more specific treatment needs, and a Booster Program provided near the time of release. The program is based on a cognitive-behavioral model, with a general relapse prevention theme running throughout. The Core Program, which requires 70 to 80 hours of structured group work, is designed to increase an offender's motivation to avoid reoffending. This is done by challenging cognitive distortions and increasing empathy for victims. The program also identifies each offender's offense cycle, which becomes the basis for the development of relapse prevention strategies. This article discusses staffing, selection methodology, the choice of a treatment model, the timing of treatment and transitional programming, follow-up research, and ethical concerns. 23 references