NCJ Number
152826
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 21 Issue: 1/2 Dated: (1994) Pages: 127-137
Date Published
1994
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed recidivism rates for 50 male youths who had been placed in a Wisconsin juvenile correctional facility for sexually assaulting children.
Abstract
The 50 subjects completed treatment in the Serious Sex Offenders Program (SSOP) between 1984 and 1989. Primary treatment goals of the SSOP were to help juvenile sex offenders take responsibility for their offense, increase understanding of factors which led to the offense, identify early warning signs or conditions that might contribute to sexual acting out, understand the damage suffered by victims and families, and learn about and develop more appropriate noncriminal behaviors. Sexual assault recidivism rates for the 50 male youths were analyzed, as well as sexual assault types perpetrated. The study also looked at whether criminal behavior associated with the classification of conduct disorders was observed after participation in the SSOP and the extent to which male youth reoffended by committing a sexual assault. Results showed that 46 percent of the sample committed criminal acts during the 2 years after program completion, 8 percent of which involved sexual offenses, and that 54 percent of the sample did not reoffend. Of the 23 male youths who reoffended, 10 were placed on supervision and 13 were institutionalized. Further research is recommended to explore psychological and socioeconomic factors that differentiate juvenile sex offenders. 14 references and 2 tables