In-Prison Treatment for Sexual Offenders in Taiwan

• NCJ Number: 219093
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 51 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 340-347
• Author(s): For-Wey Lung; Frank Huang-Chih Chou; Yi-Ching Lu; Jung-Kwang Wen; Yung-Chieh Yen; Chien-Ya Kao
• Date Published: June 2007
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study used questionnaires and interviews in examining the current status and characteristics of mandated treatment in prison for sexual offenders in Taiwan.

Abstract

Most therapists in Taiwan believe that the techniques and skills used in the in-prison treatment of sexual offenders are not well-developed or well-mastered by those delivering the treatment. Currently, all therapists who conduct such mandated treatment are from local hospitals or clinics. There is no standardized treatment that is consistent and reliable. All therapists were using at least one of the treatment models for sexual offenders, including individual counseling, group therapy, and drug treatment. The majority of therapists (93.3 percent) were using group therapy. The average frequency of treatment was 1.1 times a week, with each session lasting approximately 2.5 hours. An evaluation panel determines when a course of treatment for sexual offenders is to be concluded. The panel usually bases its decisions on the therapists' clinical judgment. Regarding treatment effectiveness, 20 percent of the therapists believed it was effective, and 80 percent reported that it was partly effective. The main problems in treatment were the client's inability to comprehend and participate in treatment methods. Many clients were diagnosed with mental retardation and mild dementia. The authors recommend establishing a sexual offender treatment and research center in each district with full-time therapists. They also recommend development of a standardized protocol for sexual offender treatment and evaluation. Further, sexual offenders should be divided into subgroups based on their motivation for treatment. Ten hospitals that provided in-prison, mandated treatment to sexual offenders in Taiwan participated in the first stage of this study, which involved a survey to acquire information on the services provided. Fifteen therapists from the mandatory treatment programs were interviewed in the study's second stage. 1 figure and 36 references