NCJ Number
41465
Date Published
1977
Length
129 pages
Annotation
'SEX PSYCHOPATHS' HAVE EITHER VIOLATED THE CRIMINAL LAW BY THEIR SEXUAL CONDUCT AND ARE LEGALLY CONVICTED OF A SEX OFFENSE OR ARE PERCEIVED AS HAVING THE POTENTIAL TO BEHAVE IN A SEXUALLY DANGEROUS MANNER.
Abstract
SPECIAL SEX PSYCHOPATH STATUTES HAVE EMPHASIZED DUAL GOALS - COMMUNITY SAFETY AND TREATMENT. THIS REPORT DESCRIBES HISTORICALLY HOW CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT WAS HANDLED BEFORE SPECIAL SEX PSYCHOPATH STATUTES WERE CREATED IN THE 1930'S, EXAMINES THE TYPES OF STATUTES ENACTED SPECIFICALLY TO DEAL WITH CLASSES OF INDIVIDUALS DESCRIBED BY SPECIAL TERMS (SUCH AS 'SEX OFFENDERS' OR 'SEXUAL PSYCHOPATH'), AND EXPLORES THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE 'SEXUAL PSYCHOPATH,' AS WELL AS THE CONFUSION ATTENDANT UPON THE USE OF SUCH CATEGORIES. IT ALSO APPRAISES THE STATUS OF THE TREATMENTS THAT ARE BEING USED WITH SEX OFFENDERS AND INVESTIGATES THE ROLE OF THE PSYCHIATRIST AS AN EVALUATOR OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND AS A CLINICIAN WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT SPECIAL SEX OFFENDER LEGISLATION AS AN APPROACH TO SEX PSYCHOPATHS HAS FAILED AND CONSEQUENTLY SHOULD BE REPEALED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...ELW