State-of-the-art sex offender treatment: Outcome and issues

Abstract

Ill-advised negative media coverage on sex offender treatment program outcomes has increased in recent years. The following article provides current brief insights into why state-of-the-art sex offender treatment programs offer the safest, most cost-effective option in response to sex offender behavior. Issues on the developing discipline of sex offender treatment, current changes in treatment, benefits of treatment versus incarceration, program efficacy and recidivism and politics surrounding these issues are discussed. The article closes with specific advice in providing information to the media.