Sex offender needs and rehabilitation strategies

Sex Offenders: The Need for More Therapy Groups for Better Rehabilitation

The objective of this work is to examine the present provision for therapy for sex offenders that enables their effective rehabilitation and what is needed to address the needs of sex offenders in regards to rehabilitation.

The focus of this brief study is the population of sex offenders in the United States who, upon release from prison are directed to sign up as sex offenders but who are offered little in the way of treatment or rehabilitation.

The Need

It is reported that the state of California is "willing to put $6 million toward the creation of small pocket parks" but does not fund treatment programs for sex offenders in prisons. In fact, rather than putting forth effort "to displace registered sex offenders, the state needs to address the problem of transient and repeat offenders." ( an, 2013, p.1)

Controversy in Previous Research Findings

. It is reported that current available studies reported have no control group since withholding sex offender treatment from a group of sex offenders is not a viable option. The variation in the recidivism rates published is stated to be remarkable and among studies that do use control groups the control group is comprised by sex offenders who do not want to participate in treatment. Therefore, these controls groups do not allow appropriate comparison. While the studies are inconclusive insofar as their effectiveness, it is certain that treatment vs. The alternative of no treatment is the best option for rehabilitation of sex offenders rather than simply turning the offenders out of prison into society making the likelihood of reoffense much greater without any provision of treatment.

The Solution

The Saybrook Forum reports that studies indicate that rehabilitation of sex offenders is possible. It is reported that sex offenders can be rehabilitated through therapy and that therapy can be an effective method to rehabilitating sex offenders. The method utilized is quite simple and is reported to be humanistic involving addressing the humanity of the offender. Rehabilitation makes a requirement of "taking the sex offender seriously as a person." (Saybrook Forum, 2011, p.1) Preliminary research in "humanistic and existential psychology" which used the group therapy context has demonstrated success in rehabilitation of sex offenders.

Summary and Conclusion