How to train your dragon: an introduction to the special issue on treatment programmes for high-risk offenders

The plot of the popular movie How to Train Your Dragon includes several features that are paralleled in the efforts of programme designers and treatment providers who work with the highest risk offenders in criminal justice systems. This introduction to the special feature on programmes for high-risk offenders notes that there are important differences in how treatments are provided for offenders with varying levels of risk, need, and responsivity. It asks if what is known about effective offender intervention – much of it derived from moderately risky offenders – applies to those who are thought to be at high risk of new criminal activity. It observes that the relative lack of intervention theory for these offenders provides an important justification for a feature that focuses primarily on describing a range of these interventions and their theoretical underpinnings. The papers that follow are then introduced.     

Sequential angulation,spatial dispersion and consistency of distance attack patterns from home in serial murder,rape and burglary

Abstract

Three related measures of spatial movement (sequential angulation, spatial dispersion and consistency of distance in attack target) were compared across three serial offence types: serial homicide (n=35), serial rape (n=41) and serial burglary (n=30). In each case, each offender had committed at least five offences. “Spatial dispersion”, defined as the extent to which an offender distributes his offences across either a focused or relatively more evenly distributed area, revealed that burglary was less evenly distributed (i.e. more focused) than rape and murder. “Sequential angulation”, defined as the degree of rotational movement around the home of the offender from one offence to the next, revealed that serial murderers have higher angulation scores than do rapists who, in turn, have higher angulation scores than burglars. Lastly, a comparison of the offender's consistency in the relative distance travelled from home to each attack site (“consistency of distance in attack target”) was relatively similar across the three groups. This was despite the comparison of different serial offence types from disparate geographical areas. The supposition that differences in dispersion and sequential angulation scores across crime types are related to the perceived risk of the crime has been confirmed. The specificity and the mobility of the targets are also discussed.     

Psychological profile of sex offenders using weapons in their crimes

Abstract

A sample of 1533 sex offenders was examined for clinical characteristics associated with weapon use in their crimes. A total of 24.9% used weapons, most often knives (50.1%), with 13.6% using multiple weapons. Weapon-users were a very disturbed group, who showed a significantly higher prevalence than non-users of psychoses, suicide attempts, alcoholism, drug addiction and abuse, personality disorders, psychopathy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cognitive impairment and violent criminal histories. The weapon-users recidivated more often than non-users and appeared in court on 8.7 separate occasions compared to 2.9 for non-users in an average follow-up of 21.5 years. The best predictors of weapon use were total violent offence convictions, sadism diagnoses and adult versus child victims. The importance of examining weapon use in assessing sex offenders is discussed.     

Current cognitive distortion theory and research: An internalist approach to cognition

Abstract

This review examines contemporary cognitive distortion theory and research relating to sexual offenders. In particular, this review highlights that researchers—to date—have tended to adopt an internalist approach to sexual offenders’ cognition which views offence-supportive cognitive activity as occurring solely within the mind. This review indicates that literature and research examining sexual offenders’ cognitions has benefited a great deal from adopting internalist approaches to cognition. From this review of the literature, implications are presented for how such knowledge may be used in practical applications with sexual offenders (i.e. a collaborative enquiry of sexual offenders’ cognition). Suggestions are also made for how researchers and professionals may be able to extend the meaning of cognition for sexual offenders, and expand upon our current internalist approaches to sexual offenders’ cognition.     

Evaluation of the assessment and treatment of a child sex offender: A case study

Abstract

There is indisputable necessity for engaging child sex offenders in effective therapy to reduce recidivist rates. However, it is becoming increasingly recognised that, to do this, more contemporary psychological methods of treatment are being utilised instead of, or as well as, imprisonment.

To establish what constitutes effective therapy requires the constant search for new and successful treatments. To achieve this, it is advantageous to follow preexisting successful methods of treatment but to acknowledge that therapy must be adapted according to an individual's unique presenting difficulties and therapeutic needs.

This paper details assessment techniques, evaluation of psychological dysfunctions, the therapy plan and treatment outcome of a convicted child sex offender. Specifically, Mr X's background history, psychological dysfunctions and progress, using a functional analysis approach, are examined in detail with critical review of the therapeutic intervention.     

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.     

Factorial analysis of risk matrix 2000 on an Italian sample of sexual offenders

ABSTRACT

In order to assess the internal structure of Risk Matrix 2000 in an Italian sample of 308 adult males convicted for sex abuse, a principal component analysis with Promax rotation was performed. The results identified a structure with three factors that explained 53.8% of the total variance: the first factor concerned items referred to the criminal career of the offender; the second factor concerned the age of onset in committing crimes; the third factor was more strictly related to the offenders' attitude towards the sex crime/s, and reflects the aggravating items of the S scale. These results allows us to have the first validated tool on an Italian sample for assessing the level of risk for recidivism.     

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.