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Maximizing therapeutic effects in treating sexual offenders in an Australian correctional system
Author(s) -
Birgden Astrid,
Vincent Justice Frank
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
behavioral sciences and the law
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.649
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1099-0798
pISSN - 0735-3936
DOI - 10.1002/1099-0798(2000)18:4<479::aid-bsl388>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - sex offender , criminology , punishment (psychology) , psychology , wrongdoing , sex offense , psychiatry , sexual abuse , medicine , poison control , suicide prevention , political science , social psychology , law , medical emergency
In Australia, the community response to sexual offenders is marked by uncertainty as to whether offenders should be incarcerated as punishment or provided treatment in order to reduce the likelihood of re‐offense. The incarceration of sexual offenders results in particular management, ethical, and political issues. Nevertheless incarceration can provide leverage to encourage the offender to participate in treatment while delivering punishment for wrongdoing and acting to protect the community. In the state of Victoria the CORE Sex Offender Programs have developed a statewide strategy in the public correctional system in order to assess, manage, and treat male sexual offenders. However, such offenders are notoriously reluctant to engage in treatment to address offending behaviors. A critical element of the strategy has been the Victorian Adult Parole Board, an entity that can determine that an offender needs to engage in treatment before he is considered for parole. Using the therapeutic jurisprudence framework as outlined by Wexler (1990), strategies to minimize the anti‐therapeutic effects of the Victorian Adult Parole Board and maximize the therapeutic effects of the CORE Sex Offender Programs are highlighted. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.