NCJ Number
115249
Journal
Hospital and Community Psychiatry Volume: 39 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1988) Pages: 151-158
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper describes current approaches to the psychiatric treatment of three major groups of offenders: insanity acquittees, sex offenders, and offenders with alcohol abuse problems.
Abstract
The recommended model of treatment for insanity acquittees is based on a single administrative organization to oversee treatment programs that include clearly defined inpatient and outpatient components and careful monitoring of conditional release into the community. Techniques for the diagnosis of sexual offenders include bioimpedance and physiological measure of sex hormones and penile tumescence. Medication with antiandrogens and cognitive behavior treatment using covert sensitization and operant aversion are among the appropriate therapeutic modalities. Treatment of persons with alcohol-related crimes should be matched to the severity of the alcohol problem. Legal intervention supplemented by brief treatment programs may be effective for offenders with lesser degrees of alcohol abuse. For offenders with more serious alcohol problems, longer group treatment or detoxification may be necessary. Treatment of alcoholic criminals may be most effective in peer groups in institutional settings, where legal coercion can be used to encourage compliance. For all offender groups, continuity of care, with consistency of personnel and therapeutic approach, community monitoring, and aftercare are essential. 71 references. (Author abstract modified)