Training correctional staff in the management of sexual offenders: Increasing knowledge and positive attitudes

Abstract

Treatment will always rely, to some extent, on the positive support of non-therapy staff. Attitudes towards sex offenders, however, are usually negative. The aim of this study was to examine different correctional staff attitudes towards sex offenders and evaluate the impact of a two-day training program delivered to correctional staff in Corrective Services New South Wales. This study found that correctional staff attitudes towards sex offenders were significantly improved after training. This is in direct contrast to the similar studies published in the area of staff training that did not find any impact on attitudes towards sex offenders. Participants were more likely to believe that a sex offender could be rehabilitated after this staff training. Training also appeared to decrease the endorsement of myths about sex offenders held by correctional staff. Further research is planned that will involve the re-testing of these staff some time later to see whether the changes in attitudes were maintained over an extended period of time.