NCJ Number
169125
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1997) Pages: 149-160
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Long-term recidivism rates of 180 male sexual offender treatment completers and persons who had been in treatment at least 2 years and had only a few goals to complete were compared in this study.
Abstract
All men in the study were followed after treatment from 6 months to 17 years through interviews, anonymous questionnaires, and/or criminal record checks. The treatment center, located in Minneapolis, checked all criminal records in Minnesota and surrounding States or country: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Canada. Seventeen men had reoffended sexually, and five others had reoffended criminally but not sexually. Only those who finished treatment or nearly finished treatment were addressed in this study, recognizing that self- selection and program screening may have contributed to the statistical success of this outpatient program. The anonymous questionnaire addressed issues regarding the offender's original offenses and the success or failure of treatment techniques as judged by them. Data regarding problematic areas still existing in their lives were collected. Of these 180 treated men, 108 men also appeared or telephoned in for personal interviews. They were interviewed six times each during the 17 years. The personal interviews yielded other aspects of data used to cross-validate the questionnaires and the criminal record checks. Total sexual recidivism was 9.0 percent. Data thus indicate that treatment was successful for 91 percent of these men. The need for more sophisticated research on what constitutes successful treatment is addressed in the discussion. 7 tables and 28 references