NCJ Number
215793
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2006 Pages: 12-14,34
Date Published
May 2006
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the case of a White male in his late 30s who committed sexual assaults against children focuses on the causes of his criminal behavior, the crime itself, his prison experience, his postimprisonment and rehabilitation, and his risks and hopes for the future.
Abstract
The man, called "Danny" in this analysis, reasoned that because sex with adults gave him comfort as a child, he would recreate the same scenario with his stepsons. Danny's background, causes of his criminal sexual behaviors, his fantasies, criminal actions, arrest, conviction, and prison experience are similar to the cases of child molesters studied in previous research. This suggests that child molesters motivated to change must be provided accessible options for treatment in prison and in the community after release. The sexual molestations of his stepsons were in Danny's mind reciprocal expressions of love that increased bonds of intimacy. Although Danny was arrested only for the abuse of his two stepsons, he admitted to the sexual molestation of three other victims. In prison, sex offenders who target children often become the sexual targets of other inmates. This was true for Danny. Because of the threats against him, prison officials housed him in protective custody, which he described as like being in solitary confinement. Under these conditions, his chronic feelings of loneliness intensified. After being released from prison, Danny was unable to afford therapy in the community for the first 5 months after his release. His molestation fantasies persisted, and he had only partial family support. In spite of these difficulties, after 2 years from his release Danny is attending recovery meetings for offenders, is in school, has had the same job with promotions for 2 years, purchased his own home, bought a car, pays his bills, and speaks often with his sister. 9 references