Exploring the Role of Treatment on Sexual Re-offending Over Time

• In Event: Preventing Sexual Offending

Abstract

The public’s perception of sex offenders is much different than for other types of offenders. This can be seen in the passing of sex offender legislation, which has led to specific interventions for this offender group as a way to protect the public and reduce recidivism. In some states, sex offenders are required to participate in treatment as a condition for early release from prison. If they refuse or fail to participate, they are required to serve their whole sentence. The impact of this policy is not well understood and mandatory treatment is gaining favor across the country. To-date, studies that have evaluated treatment effectiveness have been mixed. The presentation will discuss findings related to the impact of mandatory treatment for sex offenders on their re-offending over time. The research is based on two main questions: What is the overall re-offending between sex offenders who compete treatment to those that do not? What are the differences among sex offenders who complete treatment the first time, go through treatment multiple times or fail, and those that refuse treatment? The follow-up period covers three to twenty-three years to assess long-term recidivism.

Author

• Brooke Mayfield, University of Missouri - St. Louis