Effectiveness Of Sex Offender Treatment

Effectiveness Of fire offender discussionIn previous years, the attention of wind wrongdoers has led the human beings to believe a fallacy regarding hinge on offender interferences. The humanity often start to bring in any one(a) who commits a internal offence to be a high bump finish up offender. inn need to netherstand that some rouse offenders argon low put on the line offenders who atomic number 18 very unlikely to re-offend again. The public believe gender offenders should be sent to prison house indefinitely, however this is an inefficient elbow room in dower offenders from re-offending. One of the closely controversial debate and problem around the orb is twist offence. Crime is a massive issue around the knowledge domain and it act ass up much questions than it answers. This essay will discuss the myth that sex offenders atomic number 18 un speakable by providing various successful political platforms use for preaching and to stamp down abom ination rates. Initially, this paper will briefly define what a sex offender is, what drives slew to become one and how the government has tried to prevent sex delinquents from re-offending.A sex offender is a person who has committed a informal execration, an act which is prohibited by the jurisdiction. What constitutes a sex offence or normal and abnormal sexual behaviour varies over eon and place (Pakes Winestone, 2007). Every country has diametrical laws and perspectives on sex offences where mature of consent to sexual acts vary from 9-21. land upual offending mainly relates to grown rape or child molestation (Pakes Winestone, 2007), further there atomic number 18 some(prenominal) other types of sex aversions much(prenominal) as cyberspace grooming, sexual harassment and incest. It is very different to distinguish between sex offenders with non offenders. It is presumed that more sex offenders curb various sexual abnormal fantasies or an fantastic high sex dri ve (Elsevier, 2007). People tend to believe well-nigh sexual offences argon committed by strangers but the truth is more or less victims know their attacker and also ar non very different to normal people (CSOM).Many theories try to explain why people commit sexual offences. Since sexual deviance takes several forms, no unity theory whitethornbe adequate to account for all aspects (Blackburn, 1993). Ellis (1989) identifies two major theories which can explain as to why a person may want to become a sex offender. The first being the favorable fiting theory that suggests people commit sexual deviant acts because they learn and get exposed to certain things, which the person starts to assume is the right way to live life. An example could be childhood experiences, getting put-upon or being exposed to pornography at a young age. The entropy theory, Ellis supports is the Evolutionary theory which connects with genetics and male aggression.Getting victimised by a sex offender ca n be traumatising and psychologically damaging. come alive offenders confuse been increasely a focus of attention by the criminal honorableice system over the past decade (Thomas, 2000). In new years, many countries draw started to pitch their laws regarding sex offenders. The vile Justice governing body is strengthening the legislation and revising punishments for the publics safety and to bring low recidivism rates.Before the iniquitous Justice passage 1991, the laws on sex offences were very old attack back from the Sexual Offences snatch 1956 (Pakes Winestone, 2007). The Sex wrongdoers Act 1997 was later introduced. This Act made it easier to bear off and identify the offenders on friendship release. Sex offenders had to charge their names and addresses with the police which helped manage and protect the public. In 1998 the Crime and trouble oneself Act (Section 58), paid attention to extending the post release surveillance of sex offenders to a maximum of 10 years for a prison prison term of any length (REF) and Section 2 introduced the Sex offender Order. This issuerank places a number of prohibitions against the offender by magistrates of the court. This can be used to prevent certain sex offenders from going to specific locations (Legislation.co.uk). Furthermore, the laws in 2003 changed which introduced time-consuming sentences and also life sentences were put into effect (Pakes Winestone, 2007). In 2003, the Sexual Criminal Act redefined the meaning of rape and internet grooming was also added into this Act as illegal.What happens to those that ar convicted? Nearly two-thirds of sex offenders immediately go to prison (Homeoffice, 2003c), the rest are taken care by probation or supervision orders, fines and some are totally discharged. Those who are convicted or charged are often required to record their names in the sex offender registry. These names databases are classified into levels and are open to the public. A good h igh happen offender must bear witness for the rest of their lives whereas a low essay sex offender has to for a certain blockage of time. There are many advantages and disadvantages of the Sex offender cash register. Some of the advantages are that the public can easily access information about sex offenders on the internet and citizens slang the right to know if there is a sex offender in their area. The disadvantages include records being inaccurate or not updated this practice makes it hard for the offender to readjust back into the community (accommodation and employment). This could also lead to networking indoors sexual offenders (FIND).According to the Review of Sex Offender Treatment Programmes (1998) the highest risk sex offenders appear to be characterised by the following factors criminal history, anti fond lifestyle, emotional loneliness, denial, psychopathic personality, low victim empathy and problem solving abilities. To manage these sex offenders the aim of ea ch programme is to challenge offenders distorted thoughts and reasoning in relation to their victims and to help manage their impulses by providing alternative courses of action which they view as being more rewarding (Worrall Hoy, 2005). Many of the word programmes are taken place inside a base format unless it is a high risk sex offender where its on a one on one basis. Sex offender word programmes require at least 80 hours of handling (Evenden, 2008). The British Prison Service introduced the Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP) to reduce the wickedness rates, which is now the largest of its kind in the world (Thornton Hogue, 1993). SOTP subscribe made a criterion for all of the sex offenders in prison or attending programmes in the community. This criterion has ten characteristics which a SOTP should have to be successful and in effect(p) (Journal Site).1) Explaining how the programme will bring a change2) Including whom the programme is intended for and why3) Un derline the risk factors4) Treatment methods5) Teaching different types of skills to avoid re-offending6) Inform them that there are links between the management and the programme7) Enforce engagement of participants8) Explaining the age and duration9) Monitor if the programme is being delivered properly10) Evaluate the faculty of the programmeThe main goal of the sex offender treatment programmes are that the person avoids committing another offence in the future. The offender must have got they are guilty for them to take part in the programme, not agreeing may lead the criminal to go back into prison. The programme expects the perpetrator to parley about his unacceptable behaviour, express their feelings, remorse for them and agree to apologize to the victim. To reduce reconviction rates it is suggested to also decrease the sexual arousal. Sexual arousal is one of the key factors which can lead to sex offending. Psychiatrists also contribute to the treatment of offenders alon g with probation and prison officers. The medication prescribed by psychiatrists is shown to reduce crime (Grublin, 2007). near sex offenders are let off and released within the community under supervision before their sentence is completed. Due to this, there is a great need of effective SOTPs which can help lower crime rates. One common therapeutic approach virtually countries use to treat sex offenders is the cognitive behavioural (Perkins, 1998). These treatment programmes involve individual and group therapy victim understanding, future planning, identify emotions, solving problems, anger management if needed, social and interpersonal skills development and changing sexual arousal patterns (Centre of Sex Offender Management, 2000). Recent studies have shown specific areas of SOTPs that need more attention such as attachment issues, low self esteem, confidence and loneliness. Other types of approaches many SOTPs provide are psychotherapy, skills therapy, the psycho-educational and the pharmacological approach (FIND). These approaches focus on increasing victim empathy, uses of medication, getting out secrets, and also learning about the law. Therapists and probation officers have daily routines to inspect offenders during treatment hours and visiting them at home, this also includes medicate/alcohol use checkups. UK prisons, have groups sessions with about eight offenders and two tutors. Therapy in prison started in 1991 and these sessions also consist of cognitive behavioural approaches but there are many other people involved than just psychologists, such as police officers, teachers and also chaplains (Psychology Textbook pg.435). Some of the techniques the prison SOTP uses are brainstorming, role playing and thinking strategies (Textbook).Many other types of SOTPs have been designed within America, Canada and the UK such as Community Sex Offender Group work Programme (C-SOGP) which pays attention to male offenders who have victimised children and I nternet Sex Offender Treatment Programme (I-SOTP) is for offenders who have been convicted with internet only sex offences such as viewing indecent images of children (I-SOTP Site).The most effective way to manage and supervise potentially dangerous offenders in the community is for the relevant agencies to work together (leicsprobation.co.uk). This work is managed and directed by the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). MAPPA was developed nationally on maiden April 2001 and works with many different types of agencies like Youth Offending Teams, Children Services, big(a) Social Services, Health Trusts, local housing authorities, Job Plus and electronic monitoring providers (MAPPA book). MAPPA uses these agencies to get police surveillance, specialised accommodation, drug/alcohol refilling and ongoing management by other services. Who are the MAPPA offenders? There are three categories of MAPPA offenders. Category one consists of sexual offenders who are required to register their names and address to the police. Category two includes violent offenders who have been sentenced to internment for 12months or more. The last category is for dangerous offenders who are a risk to society but do not fit under the categories to a higher place (MAPPA BOOK).In 2009, MAPPA collaborated with Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) to encourage and develop this programme. COSA was first introduced in Canada about 15 years ago. The purpose of this programme is to support and reintegrate sex offenders who are about to be put back into the community. This composition was introduced to the UK by the Quakers. Sex offenders are lonely people who feel free once released into the community. These are the key reasons as to why an offender skill want to re-offend. COSA take place weekly which pay attention to employment, monetary difficulties, isolation and loneliness (Print out).There have been many debates about the reclamation process and success rat es. SOTPs not only have a monumental impact on medium risk offenders but also are very successful in reducing crime with low risk sex offenders (Homeoffice, 2003). Treating high risk offenders is much more difficult as they have the most dropout rates and have no intention of retrieve but it has been proven that many highly deviant offenders had a effective and successful treatment by joining long term therapy (160 hours) compared to piffling term (80 hours) (Homeoffice, no79). Sex offenders who attend and complete SOTPs overall have lower reconviction rates than those who dont receive treatment at all. This advice and support can change and save a persons life. cognitive behavioural treatment and pharmacological treatment together have meant to be the most effective approaches to reducing crime and psychotherapy has been the most inefficient amongst sex offenders. A study was conducted for 2 years to see the reconviction rates, 133 offenders who had taken treatment had lower sex ual crime rates compared to 191 offenders who had not received treatment at all (12). Also, a sample of 264 people who had been convicted of internet sexual offences were examined after treatment inclined by I-SOTP and the results proved that sex offenders were haughtyly changing their attitudes (15). There have been many pros and cons regarding the use of Sex Offender Register. The main arguments for why the Registry is not effective is because the criminals who committed sexual offences before 1997 were not added into the registry, criminals who were an subtle risk to the public were excluded from the registry and there is no national sex offender registry (Pakes Winestone, 2007). MAPPA and COSA on the other hand give positivist responses of effectiveness. Both programmes have been researched regarding their impact on crime rates. Offenders successfully end these programmes are 3 times less likely to be re-convicted than offenders who have not completed this programme (NOTA) . COSA has reduced re-offending by 70% and out of 35 offenders researched upon, only 3 criminals have been found to re-offend (paper). Receiving effective treatment is a very important. However, two major downfalls with SOTPs is that research has shown that there is a high percentage of drop outs. Another problem which arises is that probation officers have admitted to not being able to communicate properly with sex offenders and have express they need more skills and training to be able to protect the public (FIND).As new information comes available, the programmes are constantly being developed. Most sex offenders do get released into the community without having received any treatment in prison and reducing the risk of it happening outside within the community is a vital process. In order to asses and treat a sexual offender effectively, therefore, one needs to obtain a practical(prenominal) account of his psychosexuality, something that is notoriously difficult to do (Elsevier , 2007). Till today, we cannot predict as to why people commit these harsh crimes to innocent people. It has become a hot topic within the public and the government have changed and rewrite many laws to ensure they are doing the best they can for the publics safety. Everybody wants to see positive future outcomes of SOTPs. Society hope to see an increase in public safety, tracking and monitoring of offenders, awareness of sex offender laws, changing of the offenders view on SOTPs and lastly to decrease the sexual offence crime rates. The Cognitive behavioural approach is being used worldwide and has been proved most effective. Overall, there is evidence for a positive effect of sexual offender treatment. Categorising sex offenders and identifying the essential skills they need can help to what works and for whom under which circumstances. Thus, what needs to be said about SOTPs, is that they must continue to have a strong presence in the criminal justice system, so that we reduce v ictimisation and make communities safer.