Related Experiment Videos
Correctional institution based sex offender treatment: a lapse behavior study
1Psychological Services, Racine Correctional Institution, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, 2019 Wisconsin Street, P.O. Box 900, Sturtevant, WI, 53177-0900, USA.
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
|March 29, 2000
Summary
This study examined sex offender treatment programs, finding that offenders with adult or statutory victims showed more impulsive lapse behaviors than those with child victims. This research improves outcome measures for treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Forensic Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Increased focus on sex offender treatment programs within correctional and community settings.
- Challenges in assessing treatment effectiveness due to inconsistent outcome measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address shortfalls in outcome measures for sex offender treatment programs.
- To focus on early behavioral lapse indicators.
- To test the premise that lapse behaviors differ based on victim type (adult/statutory vs. child).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of behavioral lapse indicators in sex offender treatment programs.
- Comparison of lapse trends between offenders with adult/statutory victims and those with child victims.
Main Results:
- Results partially supported the premise regarding differing lapse behaviors based on victim type.
- Offenders with adult and statutory victims exhibited more impulsive-criminal trends in lapse behavior.
- No significant difference was found in sexual deviancy based on victim type.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral lapse indicators can be refined to better assess sex offender treatment effectiveness.
- Victim type is a relevant factor in understanding patterns of relapse in sex offenders.
- Further research is needed to explore the nuances of sexual deviancy in relation to treatment outcomes.