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Treating Intellectually Disabled Sex Offenders

NCJ Number
158138
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1995 Pages: 30-33
Author(s)
D. P. Boer; J. Dorward; C. M. Gauthier; D. R. Watson
Date Published
September 1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Northstar Program, implemented in a Canadian regional prison health center to treat mentally retarded sex offenders.
Abstract
Intellectually disabled sex offenders are characterized by lower intellectual functioning than normal offenders; up to 74 percent of intellectually disabled sex offenders may have organic brain syndrome as a result of brain injury. This subgroup of sex offenders presents a broad range of programs and treatment needs, stemming from their impulsive and opportunistic behavior, use of instrumental violence, low self-esteem, and poor social skills. The Northstar program combines individual sessions, behavioral therapies, medical interventions, adjunctive therapies, and group therapy modules that cover sex education, goals, communications, personal concerns, anger management, disclosure, sexual deviancy, and identification of feelings. 1 table and 6 notes