NCJ Number
201921
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 396-406
Date Published
August 2003
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the Texas program for management and treatment of sexually violent predators.
Abstract
The Texas legislature first considered a civil commitment approach to the management of sexually violent predators in 1999. Once a person has been adjudicated as being a sexually violent predator, the State commits the individual to an intensive outpatient treatment and supervision. A sexually violent predator is defined as a person that suffers from a behavioral abnormality that makes a person likely to engage in an act of predatory sexual violence. To screen those individuals identified as sexually violent predators, the law created a multidisciplinary team consisting of mental health, criminal justice, public safety, and sex offender treatment representatives. The outpatient civil commitment program is designed to provide intensive monitoring and cognitive behavioral treatment for sexually violent offenders. The focus of the program is a case management system. Key to this process working is exchange of information between all that are working with the sexually violent offender, which could include the case manager, a primary care physician, psychiatrist, polygrapher, penile plethysmographer, and other mental health professionals. The treatment provider must meet the criteria for being a Registered Sex Offender Treatment Provider in Texas. Surveillance, electronic monitoring, and global positioning satellite monitoring of the sexually violent predator are provided as part of the program. Stage 1 focuses on the offender accepting responsibility for his or her acts and learning to control his or her aggression. Stage 2 focuses on personal inventory and self-esteem. Stage 3 focuses on the offense cycle and adaptive behaviors. Stage 4 focuses on positive sexuality and relationship issues. The final stage focuses on relapse prevention and intimacy. The advantages of this program are huge savings in cost, the protection of the civil rights of a sexually violent predator, and the protection of the public. The assumption that the sexually violent predator can be successfully treated in the community is yet to be shown. To date, seven offenders are being successfully managed and treated in the community. 22 references