Outcomes in a Community Sex Offender Treatment Program: A Comparison Between Polygraphed and Matched Non-Polygraphed Offenders

• NCJ Number: 221002
• Journal: Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2007 Pages: 381-393
• Author(s): Robert J. McGrath; Georgia F. Cumming; Stephen E. Hoke; Marcel O. Bonn-Miller
• Date Published: December 2007
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared outcomes for 104 adult male sex offenders who received community cognitive-behavioral treatment, correctional supervision, and periodic polygraph compliance exams with a matched group of 104 sex offenders who received the same types of treatment and supervision services but no polygraph exams.

Abstract

This study found that at fixed 5-year followup periods, the number of men in the polygraph group charged with a new nonsexual violent offense was significantly lower than in the no-polygraph group (2.9 percent compared with 11.5 percent); however, there were no significant between-group differences for the number of individuals charged for new sexual offenses, any sexual or violent offense, or any criminal offense. If subsequent research finds that polygraphy is a useful tool for reducing the reoffense rates of sexual offenders, it will likely be a component of programs that follow well-established principles of effective correctional practice, i.e., primarily those of risk, need, and responsivity. The "risk" principle suggests that polygraphy will be more effective in programs that treat moderate and high-risk offenders. Programs that target the "need" principle will use the polygraph to target those problems closely linked to sexual reoffending, and the "responsivity" principle involves delivering services in a manner to which individuals can respond effectively. The current study involved adult men who had committed sexual offenses and been placed under State community correctional supervision in Vermont from 1995 through 2001. Polygraph exams focused on whether participants were following their conditions of community supervision and treatment and had avoided committing new sexual offenses. The two groups were matched on three variables: Static-99 risk score, having completed prison sex offender treatment, and the date they were released into the community. 5 tables and 42 references