Mandated aftercare treatment for released individuals with sexual offences: Predictors and relations with recidivism

• In Event: Evaluation research on correctional treatment for people convicted of sex offences

Abstract

Sex offender outpatient treatment, aftercare, and relapse prevention are very important in many countries. In Germany, a large proportion of sex offenders are legally mandated to participate in aftercare treatment via probation conditions or directives from the supervision board. To date there is little information on the frequency, predictors, or effectiveness of these conditions. Therefore, this study uses a sample of released male sexual offenders (n = 1,537) to examine which individual, incarceration, and release-related factors are related to conditions for aftercare treatment. In addition, it analyses their effect on recidivism when controlling for other relevant factors. A comprehensive questionnaire completed by specialized staff upon release formed the data. Our results showed that 77% of all sex offenders received a legal condition for treatment. The proportion increased significantly over time. Younger offenders, offenders with child victims only, with lower Static-99 risk scores, and those treated in prison were more likely to receive a condition for aftercare treatment. For untreated sex offenders, treatment condition was associated with reduced recidivism. For offenders with previous individual or group therapy there was only an effect on violent recidivism. For those who participated in a long-term social-therapeutic treatment in prison, condition for aftercare was not a significant predictor. This suggests that aftercare may not function as a booster for previous treatment, and there can even be a satiation effect. Implications for practice will be discussed.

Authors

• Lena Carl, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

• Friedrich Lösel, Cambridge University & University of Erlangen-Nuremberg