Sex Offender Rehabilitation

About 43.9% of sex offenders identified both male and female perpetrators as opposed to 9.6% of nonsexual offenders. These individuals were exposed to more severe forms of victimization with a longer duration. Sex offenders endured an average of 5.6 years of abuse while nonsexual offenders experienced 3.9 years. Through the use of logistic regression analyses, Burton, Miller, and Shill (2002) concluded that method of operation and gender of abuser accurately predicts whether an individual will sexually offend. The analysis correctly predicted and placed 78.3% of the sex-offending males into their correct groups.

A Hanson and Morton-Bourgon study found that over a 15 year time period, the rate for recidivism was a terrifying 35% for child molesters of boy victims and 24% for rapists. It is vital to consider that there is an abundance of victims whose trauma prohibits them from coming forward therefore a thoroughly accurate representation of repeat offences is severely limited. Brent Peter Cowan is a prime example of a sex offender, whose minimal

Barbaree looked at 224 sex offenders. Of those men, 33 committed a new offense of some kind for a general recidivism rate of 14.7 percent. Even more interesting was the study did not support the idea that good treatment behavior, as in positive or appropriate behavior in group sessions, good homework assignments, and positive ratings of motivation, could be associated with a less of a chance for recidivism. They gave two possible reasons for this finding. Sex offenders, by the very nature of their criminal behavior, are masters of manipulation and exploitation. These individuals can exhibit behavior that contributes to favorable assessments. The second possible reason is these skills are learned, or enhanced, in the treatment setting. Data from a program

When an offender is released he or she must register with law enforcement agencies. This information has recently become public information. Several websites exist to help law enforcement officials and community members. An individual is able to keep track of offenders in his or her community. One of the most popular online websites is Family Watchdog. Individuals can look up sexual offenders anywhere in the nation. Offender’s pictures are shown along with descriptions of their crimes, home addresses, and sometimes, work addresses. All this information can be accessed from this website. The goals of registering, according to Matson (1999), are “deterring offenders from committing future crimes, providing law enforcement with additional investigative tools, and increasing public protection.” These registries can also be harmful to the offender. Individuals living in the offender’s community may set out to harm registrants. This is one of the ways that an offender’s life may be changed due to being branded a “sex offender.” This is also one of the reasons why each case should be looked at on an individual basis. Should every offender be made to register? How long should an individual have to register? Should juveniles have to register as long as adults? These are all questions that need to be looked at and evaluated.

I selected polygraph data from 60 case files for in this study. Participants were males aged 10-18 enrolled in 12 months residential treatment facility for juveniles with sexual behavior problems in Idaho. The demographic characteristics are presented in data below. This group included youth who received only resided at Sequel for residential sexual behavior problems. Services provided included group therapy, individual, family, and trauma therapy. The program director and clinicians were licensed mental health providers who met established criteria for providing treatment to juvenile sex offenders in the state of Idaho. All participants are court ordered to this facility for charges of sexual offenses on adults or children. Most of the youth are on probation with will be until they are 21 years of age. This facility only treats male sex

Many states believe in rehabilitation for violent sex offenders while others believe in long term incarceration. Either way, the belief of proper legal sanction for sexual offenders are all the same. In states like Florida and New Jersey, laws were created to prosecute violators who abused, raped, molested, assaulted or kidnapped someone against their will. States then began to create laws that will give the victims of these horrifying sex crimes justice and in turn give the sex offender the correct punishment they deserve. When some civil commitment laws were revoked, the public’s outcry made states revisit and establish new laws that would help decrease the sex crime rate (Chittom and Cushman). Laws like Megan’s Law, Jessica’s Law, and Adam Walsh’s Law were created when their children had been abducted, raped,

Controversy regarding the effective treatment of sex offenders seem to plague the criminal justice system. The main issues focus on areas of disagreement based on the quality of evidence and its interpretation surrounding the success of treatment. This work will focus on sex offender rehabilitation and if it effectiveness when treating in the cognitive-behavioral environment of female offenders. This paper will also identify obstacles that are faced by treatment as well as address the issue of recidivism. Finally, will discuss does gender play a role in this area and the potential reform that is needed in the state of Florida.

To conclude the findings above, released in The September 2015 Sex Offender Recidivism after Release from Prison report sex offender recidivism rates at three-, five-, ten-, and fifteen year follow up periods. It reports Patterns of sex offender recidivism at each of the follow-up periods decline over time, much like the overall offender population. For instance, from 1992 to 2010, the three-year general recidivism rate for sex offenders decreased by 40%.

Critically evaluate the ways in which the criminal justice system deals with the risk and management of sex offenders.

The treatment process for sex offenders is a staid yet encouraging process that educates the offender on specific tactics for discontinuing offensive behavior, being held accountable and taking blame for actions they have committed (Stop it Now, 2016). For the preponderance of those adults who have committed a sexual offense, treatment considerably diminishes the risk of recidivism. However, it does not offer forgiveness or justify abusive actions, nor is treatment intended to chastise or embarrass participants. The primary focus of treatment is to help the offender create a better life for himself by helping him or her develop their strengths and manage their weaknesses (Stop it Now, 2016). Treatment for sex offenders are accessible by counselors or therapists who concentrate in working with adults as well as youth with sexual behavior

The purpose of this literature review is to discuss the importance of sexual offender treatment, to compare and contrast research points regarding treatment, and to address the validity of the peer reviewed articles. Every year 6,000 sex offenders enter treatment (Waldram, 2008). Various therapeutic treatment options are offered, and the primary focus is to rehabilitate and change behavior. The body of research reveals different therapeutic treatment models and discusses the purpose and effectiveness of each model. This paper will also discuss some of the challenges of implementing therapeutic treatment schemas as viable alternatives to treat sex offenders. Lastly, the research will also examine the impact of treatment as it relates to

Because reduction of the likelihood of offender recidivism in the future is clearly a priority, the criminal justice system has begun to look into the effectiveness of treatment programs. The following body of research further discusses the purpose and effectiveness of different treatment methods that can be employed by psychologists with the intention of rehabilitating sex offenders.

When working with this specific population mental health professionals are often called on to evaluate and manage sex offender’s behavior. There are also times when individuals may be asked to give an opinion as to if the offender will repeat the behavior. Often times people that work with this population are referred to as (SOSs) Sex Offender Specialists. They have a specific group of diverse training and background. Some of these trainings incIude but are not limited to cognitive-behavioral, psychopharmacological, and therapeutic orientations.

Research from Wagner (2011) supports Commitment to Client by discussing housing restrictions sexual offenders face, which can often cause homelessness. They tend to have to live in economically underprivileged neighborhoods, which can put families at a higher risk. It is very problematic for sex-offenders to be able to find and keep jobs. Noted as well, sex offenders are frequently subject to public humiliation by certain laws. Last from the article, a national survey was discussed that was taken from mental health professionals who work with sex offenders that suggested most overall felt it had no effect or it caused society to be less safe (Wagner, 2011).

Kim English and her colleagues developed the history of the containment-supervision approach. Many jurisdictions have attempted to utilize a one-size-fits-all approach method to manage sex offenders. Today, it is one of the most effective approaches to managing sex offenders in our communities. The elements of a containment supervision approach team consist of parole/ probation officers, treatment provider, polygraph examiner and the victim advocate. The cognitive behavioral treatment is the most preferred method approach and has the most positive effect on managing sex offenders (Alarid, 2015).