NCJ Number
181566
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 43 Issue: 3 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 275-290
Date Published
September 1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article examines legal procedures for sentencing men convicted of sex offenses in Canada, with emphasis on the perspective of therapeutic jurisprudence.
Abstract
The incidence of sex offenses against women and children continues to alarm the public. The crimes that receive greater media attention often involve men with past convictions for sex offenses. The Canadian criminal justice system has placed more emphasis on rehabilitation to address the issue of recidivism. Typical judicial responses have involved short-term incarceration, probation, or both. Research on treatment effectiveness supports the use of specific sex offender treatment; these interventions have been used to some extent. However, further changes would facilitate the treatment of these men. Recommended changes include long-term community supervision following periods of incarceration and mandated treatment that specifically address sexually abusive behavior. Applying these suggestions might result in challenges on a legal or ethical basis. However, the proposed sentencing recommendations are appropriate and even-handed, given other sentencing alternatives and the court's responsibility related to public safety. 58 references (Author abstract modified)