Treated Sex Offender’s Recidivism in Barcelona Sex Offenders Study: A 17 Years Follow-Up

• In Event: Treatment of Sex Offenders

Abstract

In Spain, sex offenders’ psychological treatment in prisons is applied since 1996. Between 1996 and 1999, several sex offenders close to their release were treated in two of Barcelona’s prisons. After release, a recidivism follow-up of 47 treated sex offenders and 74 non-treated sex offenders was carried out. The length of the first follow-up was three and a half years. Over this period, the recidivism rate of treated sex offenders was 4.2%, while the untreated offenders recidivated at a rate of 18.1% (a difference statistically significant). The present paper is a continuation of the abovementioned study, with the recidivism follow-up period prolonged until the year 2016. The first aim of this study is to compare the recidivism rate of treated and non-treated sex offenders over a follow-up period longer than 17 years. The second aim is to analyze the relationship between said recidivism rate and several related risk factors. The implications of these results for sex crimes prevention are highlighted.

Authors

• Santiago Redondo, University of Barcelona

• Ana Martínez-Catena, University of Barcelona

• Antonio Andrés-Pueyo, University of Barcelona