A review of the use of therapeutic communities with sexual offenders (2010)

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Type of Content
Journal ArticlePublisher
SAGE PublicationsISSN
0306-624X1552-6933
Language
engCollections
- Law: Journal Articles [221]
Abstract
Sexual offender treatment programmes are often facilitated in secure settings such as prisons or psychiatric hospitals, which are not ideal environments for such treatment. Arguably, however, when these environments are structured as therapeutic communities (TCs), opportunities are created to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. This article describes the concept of a TC, its operating principles and rationale, as well as the benefits and rationale for establishing TCs in conjunction with cognitive-behavioural treatment with sexual offenders. This is discussed in terms of the potential of TCs to improve targeting of treatment content, to enhance treatment process, to provide optimal environments for therapeutic gain, and to provide a broad therapeutic framework for treating sexual offenders. The article reviews and summarizes what evidence exists for the use of TCs with both nonsexual offenders and sexual offenders. Finally, it highlights the gaps in our knowledge of the use of TCs to inspire further empirical and conceptual consideration of these isues.Sexual offender treatment programmes are often facilitated in secure settings such as prisons or psychiatric hospitals, which are not ideal environments for such treatment. Arguably, however, when these environments are structured as therapeutic communities (TCs), opportunities are created to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. This article describes the concept of a TC, its operating principles and rationale, as well as the benefits and rationale for establishing TCs in conjunction with cognitive-behavioural treatment with sexual offenders. This is discussed in terms of the potential of TCs to improve targeting of treatment content, to enhance treatment process, to provide optimal environments for therapeutic gain, and to provide a broad therapeutic framework for treating sexual offenders. The article reviews and summarizes what evidence exists for the use of TCs with both nonsexual offenders and sexual offenders. Finally, it highlights the gaps in our knowledge of the use of TCs to inspire further empirical and conceptual consideration of these isues.Sexual offender treatment programmes are often facilitated in secure settings such as prisons or psychiatric hospitals, which are not ideal environments for such treatment. Arguably, however, when these environments are structured as therapeutic communities (TCs), opportunities are created to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. This article describes the concept of a TC, its operating principles and rationale, as well as the benefits and rationale for establishing TCs in conjunction with cognitive-behavioural treatment with sexual offenders. This is discussed in terms of the potential of TCs to improve targeting of treatment content, to enhance treatment process, to provide optimal environments for therapeutic gain, and to provide a broad therapeutic framework for treating sexual offenders. The article reviews and summarizes what evidence exists for the use of TCs with both nonsexual offenders and sexual offenders. Finally, it highlights the gaps in our knowledge of the use of TCs to inspire further empirical and conceptual consideration of these isues.
Citation
Ware J, Frost A, Hoy A (2010). A review of the use of therapeutic communities with sexual offenders. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. 54(5). 721-742.This citation is automatically generated and may be unreliable. Use as a guide only.
Keywords
therapeutic community, sexual offenders, review, treatmentANZSRC Fields of Research
44 - Human society::4402 - Criminology::440202 - Correctional theory, offender treatment and rehabilitation52 - Psychology::5203 - Clinical and health psychology::520302 - Clinical psychology
48 - Law and legal studies::4805 - Legal systems::480504 - Legal institutions (incl. courts and justice systems)
52 - Psychology::5201 - Applied and developmental psychology::520103 - Forensic psychology
Rights
All rights reserved unless otherwise statedRelated items
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How should "acceptance of responsibility" be addressed in sexual offending treatment programs?
Mann RE; ware, jayson (Elsevier BV, 2012)Sexual offenders in treatment programs are usually expected to take responsibility for their offending-which we define, on the basis of a literature review, as giving a detailed and precise disclosure of events which avoids ... -
The use of antilibidinal medications in the treatment of sexual offenders
Allnutt S; ware, jayson (2010)Antilibidinal medications can be used to reduce a sexual offender’s deviant sexual fantasies and arousal. We briefly review what these medications are and what effects they have, how commonly they are used or should be ... -
An integrated groupwork methodology for working with sex offenders
Frost A; Boer DP; ware, jayson (Informa UK Limited, 2009)There is now a considerable literature on the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. There exists another substantial literature on therapeutic groupwork and its relevance to a range of clinical populations. These ...