ASSESSING THE DANGEROUSNESS AND TREATABILITY OF SEX OFFENDERS IN THE COMMUNITY (FROM SERIOUS VIOLENT OFFENDERS: SENTENCING, PSYCHIATRY, AND LAW REFORM, 1991, P 245-254, SALLY-ANNE GERULL AND WILLIAM LUCAS, EDS. - SEE NCJ-147734)

• NCJ Number: 147753
• Author(s): W Glaser
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Criminal Justice Press/Willow Tree Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

To determine the degree of dangerousness and treatability appropriate to a particular sexual offender, the courts, parole boards, correctional agencies, and service providers must consider more than the suitability of treatment; they must also examine resource allocation, efficacy of individual treatments, community attitudes, and society's moral responsibilities to the offender.

Abstract

To distinguish between dangerousness and treatability, a scheme should include at least four levels: treatable and not dangerous, not treatable and not dangerous, treatable and dangerous, and not treatable and dangerous. This author maintains there is no way of predicting the risk of future offending on the basis of the type and circumstances of the index offense. Predictive factors related to offender characteristics, however, include age, prior criminal record, antisocial personality disorders, and substance abuse. In Australia, treatment of sex offenders has generally relied on behavior modification and the use of libido-reducing medication, and has virtually ignored other alternatives, including group therapy. In treating the sex offender, the community must recognize the continuing tension between preserving the offender's rights and protecting society. 36 references