NCJ Number
155150
Date Published
1992
Length
28 pages
Annotation
One hundred ninety-seven child molesters released from prison in Canada between 1958 and 1974 were studied to determine their long-term recidivism rates.
Abstract
Results revealed that 42 percent of the sample were reconvicted for sex offenses, violent crimes, or both. Ten percent were reconvicted between 10 and 31 years after release. Incest offenders were reconvicted at a slower rate than homosexual pedophiles; heterosexual pedophiles had a rate between these two groups. Other factors associated with increased recidivism were never being married and prior sex offenses. Although mental health and personality test scores improved treatment, neither the pretreatment nor the posttreatment scores were associated with recidivism. The recidivism rate for the treated child molesters was similar to the recidivism rate for comparison groups of untreated child molesters. Figures, tables, and 61 references