Treating Juveniles in a Sex Offender Program Using Adventure-Based Programming: A Matched Group Design

• NCJ Number: 230278
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2010 Pages: 20-34
• Author(s): H. L. Gillis; Michael A. Gass
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the effectiveness of a behavior management model using adventure programming with juvenile sex offenders (JSOs).

Abstract

Ninety-five male juvenile sex offenders in an adventure-based behavior management program (LEGACY) were matched with male juveniles in State treatment-as-usual and other specialized programs in the same State to determine program effectiveness (as measured by rearrest rates). The LEGACY program demonstrated significant treatment effectiveness on rearrest rates when compared with youth development centers and other specialized programs 2 and 3 years later. Overall, 3-year rearrest rates for the most serious reoffenses for each of the placements were as follows: 34.8 percent for youth development centers (YDC), 32.6 percent for other specialized programs (OSP), and 19 percent for LEGACY. Table and references (Published Abstract)