The use of psychological interventions for adult male sex offenders with a learning disability: a systematic review†

ABSTRACT

There is a drive to attend to the specific treatment needs of sexual offenders with a learning disability (LD) and increasing recognition of treatment limitations in this group. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based sex offender treatment programmes (SOTPs) are being increasingly adapted for the LD population. This review systematically considers the evidence base for LD adapted CBT-based SOTPs. Ten studies together comprising 358 participants were reviewed. LD adapted SOTPs were conducted in prisons, secure settings and in the community. Within-treatment findings generally indicated positive cognitive shift, improvements in victim empathy and increased sexual knowledge on psychometric measures. Whilst findings are encouraging, many of the studies have methodological limitations. In particular, all studies used pre-test post-test study designs lacking control groups therefore restricting the evaluation of treatment outcomes. The LD sex offender literature remains underdeveloped and there is a strong case for further research to establish a valid evidence base for treatment.     

Therapists’ perceptions of the therapeutic alliance in “Mandatory” therapy with sex offenders

ABSTRACT

Research suggests that the therapeutic alliance (TA) plays an important part in successful therapy. The pantheoretical concept of the alliance (Bordin, 1979) assumes a client seeks to make a change and joins the therapist in a willing journey. However, treatment with sex offenders can entail various levels of coercion. Little is known about the process of the TA in therapy with sex offenders whose therapy could be seen as coerced or mandated. Thus, the aim of this research was to explore therapists’ perceptions of the TA with sex offenders whose therapy could be seen as “mandated” because it was part of their plan for release/rehabilitation. Eleven therapists were interviewed about their experiences and a qualitative thematic analysis elicited five themes: dynamics of forced work, explicit terms of working, persuasive encouragement to engage, connecting with the human element and preservation and protection. Implications for practice are discussed alongside recommendations for future research.     

Incorporating trauma-informed care into evidence-based sex offender treatment

Abstract

As we move forward in the field of sex offender treatment, clinicians should consider incorporating principles of trauma-informed care (TIC) into evidence-based sex offender treatment models. Early adverse experiences are prevalent in the general population and more so in criminal and sex offender populations. Early trauma paves the way for maladaptive coping and interpersonal deficits, which can lead to abusive behaviour. Content-oriented sex offender treatment models emphasising cognitive-behavioural skills should integrate process-oriented components that address the ways in which early trauma shapes adult cognitions and behaviour. Relational approaches to therapy can enhance clients' interpersonal skills and improve general well-being. This type of personal growth would be expected to mitigate future offending as the client adopts and successfully practices healthier, non-destructive strategies for meeting emotional needs.     

Treated sex offenders as “paraprofessional” co-workers in the treatment of the sex offender

This paper will briefly review the utilization of the paraprofessional in a community-based sex offender treatment programme in Merseyside, UK. The paraprofessionals are treated paedophiles in the role of treatment co-facilitators. Further thoughts on the role dynamic, training issues and supervision are discussed. This is an example of service-user involvement in practice.     

Attachment,anger and anxiety of male sexual offenders

Abstract

Common factors underlie sexual and non-sexual aggression, and they co-occur at high rates. This study reports on whether Dutton et al.'s model of partner abuse (1994) also predicts sexual offender status. Incarcerated sexual offenders (n?=?144) and non-sexual offenders (n?=?34) completed a voluntary, anonymous survey of attachment, anger and anxiety measures. Sexual offenders produced significantly higher insecure attachment (p?=?0.001), anger (p?<?0.05) and generalized anxiety (p?<?0.01) scores than non-sexual offenders. Intended multivariate analyses were prohibited by multicollinearity between predictors. Although insecure attachment, anxiety and anger distinguish sexual from non-sexual offenders, their predictive power in a multivariate model is yet to be determined. Awareness of the co-occurrence of sexual and non-sexual violence would improve assessment and treatment approaches for professionals in both arenas.     

Consumer perspectives of New Zealand community treatment programmes for sexually abusive youth

Abstract

The aim of this process evaluation was to identify consumer perspectives of strengths and weaknesses of programme delivery at three New Zealand community treatment programmes for sexually abusive youth. Qualitative methods were employed, with data being obtained from in-depth interviews with 24 sexually abusive youth and 23 caregivers across three sites. Results indicated that clients value good pre-entry information to reduce barriers to participation; engagement in treatment is facilitated by the quality of the client–therapist relationship, family involvement, culturally appropriate communication and creative and physical activities; and post-treatment support is important. Findings highlight the importance of engaging adolescents and their families actively during the intake period, the treatment phase and post-treatment transition. They also support the use of flexible and integrated approaches to treatment that attend to the cultural context for ethnic minorities. This suggests that programmes should aim to provide wraparound services that promote engagement during the referral phase and offer transitional programmes and aftercare follow-up. Recognition should also be given to issues of cultural difference by ensuring that cultural services for ethnic minorities are integrated into all levels of programme delivery.     

The Punitive Repertoire of Children's Homes and Reformatories

Although equality before the law is one of the fundamental principles of modern democracy, current Western research has shown that discrimination exists within the justice system when enforcing traditional crimes. However, in Scandinavian research on economic crime, the question of equal treatment has been neglected. Based on Swedish data of suspected offenders during 2003, we examined whether different social groups received differential treatment in investigations of traditional and economic crimes. Further, we compared the Regular Police with the Economic Crimes Bureau (ECB) to examine whether the professional specialization of street-level bureaucrats influence the occurrence of differential treatment. We also examined the efficiency of the authorities and more specifically to what extent they issue a waiver of prosecution, a prosecutor's fine, or a court indictment. Besides supporting earlier research on traditional crime, our results show that differential treatment also exists in relation to economic crime, but the patterns of differential treatment are not identical with the ones for traditional crimes. We also found that the two agencies, the ECB and the Regular Police, treat diverse social groups differently. Although the ECB is somewhat more efficient, professional specialization does not appear to be an important factor concerning the issue of differential treatment. It exists regardless of investigating authority. Further action is being taken more often in relation to men and those with a lower level of education at both agencies. However, in some cases the suspect's background does have a different effect on the work of the two agencies, with the ECB less often taking further action against ‘Swedes’ and those on ‘high incomes’, while the Regular Police less often take further action against ‘immigrants’ and those on ‘low and middle incomes’.     

基本公共服务的均等化与有效供给——基于福建省的思考

推进基本公共服务均等化,让改革的成果更多地惠及全民,是当前深化行政管理体制改革、建设服务型政府的基本要求。本文探讨基本公共服务均等化与有效供给的理论基础与创新战略问题。文章先探讨基本公共服务均等化与有效供给统筹考虑的基本内涵、要素和评价标准,并以福建省为例分析基本公共服务均等化与有效供给实践上存在的深层次矛盾和问题,进而提出基本公共服务均等化与有效供给的创新战略。笔者认为,基本公共服务均等化与有效供给是两个相互联系的方面,在利用财政手段等推进基本公共服务均等化的同时,还必须重视公共服务的有效供给,推动公共服务质量的持续改进。     

罪犯死亡处理与救济法律问题研究

罪犯死亡依其性质分为正常死亡和非正常死亡两类。对死亡罪犯依法予以救济是化解监狱与罪犯家属矛盾的关键所在。罪犯死亡法律救济主要包括适用《国家赔偿法》的刑事赔偿、适用民法的民事赔偿、参照相关法律实施的经济补偿或赔偿以及按照国家有关规定给予奖励等四种渠道与方式;而罪犯自杀死亡和正常死亡则不存在法律救济问题。为了使罪犯死亡的处理与救济建立在稳定可靠的法制基础上,现阶段需要通过进一步修改《监狱法》、制定出台《罪犯死亡处理办法》、修改司法部《司法行政机关行政赔偿、刑事赔偿办法》和《罪犯工伤补偿办法（试行）》,以加强罪犯死亡处理与救济的制度体系建设。     

微信在图书馆服务中的应用研究与实践

微信这种新型信息服务模式具有良好的信息交互能力,图书馆以此为契机不断扩展和创新服务。通过介绍微信的特点,分析了微信应用于图书馆服务的可行性以及在图书馆服务中的具体应用,有针对性地提出基于微信的图书馆APP服务功能设计方案,具有实践应用性。