NCJ Number
43833
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1975) Pages: 77-80
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A PROGRAM AT CONNECTICUT'S MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISON THAT USES ELECTRIC SHOCK AND HYPNOTISM TO STOP SEX OFFENDERS FROM ATTACKING CHILDREN IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THIRTEEN VOLUNTEERS RECEIVED THE TREATMENT IN THE PROGRAM'S FIRST 2 YEARS OF OPERATION. NONE HAVE BEEN REARRESTED FOR SEX CRIMES. PARTICIPANTS ARE INTERVIEWED EXTENSIVELY BEFORE THEY ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM AND SPEND SEVERAL WEEKS IN GROUP SESSIONS WITH INMATES ALREADY UNDERGOING TREATMENT BEFORE THEY BEGIN THE THERAPY. IN THE ELECTRIC SHOCK COMPONENT OF THE THERAPY THE INMATE IS SHOWN SLIDES OF YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS AND ADULT MEN OR WOMEN IN PROVOCATIVE POSES AND RECEIVES AN ELECTRIC SHOCK IF, WHEN ASKED TO IMAGINE HIMSELF IN SEXUAL SITUATIONS WITH THE CHILDREN, HE FAILS TO ASK THE THERAPIST TO CHANGE THE SLIDE. THE TREATMENT IS REPEATED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS AND IS AIMED AT COMPLETELY REPRESSING THE INMATE'S ABILITY TO THINK OF CHILDREN AS SEX OBJECTS. IN THE HYPNOSIS COMPONENT, THE THERAPIST GUIDES THE HYPNOTIZED INMATE THROUGH A SEXUAL FANTASY INVOLVING A CHILD, MANIPULATING THE FANTASY SO THAT THE INMATE ASSOCIATES NEGATIVE HAPPENINGS WITH MOLESTATION AND POSITIVE FEELINGS WITH ABSTAINING FROM MOLESTATION. OBJECTIONS BY THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION TO THE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM ARE DISCUSSED.