The Effectiveness of Treatment as Policy for Sex Offenders

• In Event: Control of Sex Offenders: Efficacy of Sex Offender Legislation

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 incarceration. If they refuse or fail to participate, they are required to serve their whole prison 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 purpose of the study is to examine how mandatory treatment for sex offenders in prison impacts the level to which they re-offend after release. The specific research questions that will be examined are: How do offenders that complete treatment compare to offenders that do not in terms of recidivism? What are the differences between sex offenders who complete treatment the first time compared to those that go through multiple times or fail?

Author

• Brooke Mayfield, University of Missouri - St. Louis