NCJ Number
149855
Date Published
1994
Length
26 pages
Annotation
The author examines the treatment of sex offenders in prison versus in the community and reviews research on deviant sexual behavior.
Abstract
The apprehension, prosecution, and disposition of an increasing number of sex offenders over the past 10 to 15 years have burdened the criminal justice system, yet responses to this population are often ill-conceived and inconsistent. Risk assessment for sex offenders is necessary to determine who can be supervised in the community and who needs long-term incarceration. Recidivism studies generally show less recidivism if the offender has participated in a structured cognitive-behavioral program that specifically addresses his or her sexual deviance. The etiology and classification of sex offenders are discussed, as well as psychological explanations of sexual behavior, risk assessment, recidivism, and the efficacy of prison versus probation for sex offenders. The importance of a complete assessment of the offender's sexual history and accurate information concerning the presenting offense is stressed. Consideration is also given to the costs of incarcerating, treating, and supervising sex offenders and to sexual acting out by juveniles, prison programs for sex offenders, pharmacological treatment of sex offenders, and female sex offenders. Case examples are cited, and future directions in dealing with both sex offenders and victims are noted. 47 references and 1 table