NCJ Number
32118
Date Published
1972
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THE PROBLEMS INHERENT IN DIAGNOSING AND TREATING THE SEXUAL OFFENDER DUE TO THE INVOLUNTARY NATURE OF TREATMENT AND THE STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TREATMENT TAKES PLACE.
Abstract
THE THREE KEY ASSUMPTIONS INVOLVED IN THE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR SPECIALIZED TREATMENT ARE REVIEWED AND CHALLENGED. THESE ARE THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO COMMIT SEX CRIMES ARE MENTALLY ILL; THAT SEX OFFENDERS WHO ARE MENTALLY DISTURBED ARE DANGEROUS; AND THAT SEX OFFENDERS WHO ARE MENTALLY DISTURBED ARE LIKELY TO BE HELPED BY PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT. THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT FOR EFFECTIVE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC, THE SELECTION OF TREATMENT SUBJECTS SHOULD BE DETERMINED MORE BY THE DANGEROUSNESS OF BEHAVIOR THAN BY THE ALLEGED PRESENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE PSYCHIATRISTS DUAL ALLEGIANCE TO THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AND THE OFFENDER ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES IN TREATMENT CAUSED BY THE CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENT ARE REVIEWED. FINALLY, THE DIFFICULT ROLE OF THE THERAPIST IN TREATING PROBATIONER SEX OFFENDERS IS EXAMINED.