Treating Juveniles in a Sex Offender Program

Treating Juveniles in a Sex Offender Program

Using Adventure-Based Programming:

A Matched Group Design

               Typically the sexual rearrest rate for male juvenile sex offenders (JSO’s) ranges from 8-14% and the nonsexual rearrest rate ranges from 35-54%. This study compares rearrest rates for juvenile sex offenders who have participated in an adventure programming design with those who have participated in two other programs during the same time period in the same state (Georgia).

               The LEGACY program is a full-time residential program for offenders aged 12-16 years old. The group/cohort is 12 to 20 other males. The six program goals are: (1) use workbooks and classroom discussion to identify sexually inappropriate thoughts and behaviors and eliminate them; (2) encourage sexually appropriate behavior utilizing consequences for behavior; (3) promote responsibility for their behavior; (4) encourage relationships with both same-sex as well as opposite-sex to be equal rather than based on power and control; (5) guide the development self-control with the use of adventure-based activities; (6) encourage the development of healthy sexual roles and social skills. Typically the program day involves usual things such as household responsibilities, good hygiene, group therapy, academics, and goals discussions. However the LEGACY program’s core element is adventure experiences, which are centered on the aforementioned six goals. The LEGACY program utilizes eustress, or the positive use of stress, in unfamiliar environments and situations. It is a small group design that is solution oriented, with clear consequences for inappropriate actions set forth.

               For this study, LEGACY participants were matched one to one with another male offender from an other specialized program (OSP) and a male incarcerated in a state-run facility, or a youth development center (YDC). Matching was based on age at time of first offense, most serious arresting offense, and race. The matched design consisted of 62 white males and 33 black males (95 altogether) in each group. The two outcome variables were (1) rearrest after release from placement for any criminal behavior within 1, 2, and 3-year periods; and (2) number of days from being released to being rearrested.

               The study results showed that LEGACY participants had a significantly lower rearrest rate overall when compared to the other two programs, with a statistically significant difference in the number of days between release and rearrest. However, there was no significant difference between programs in the area of violent sex arrests. Overall, the 3-year rearrest rates for all serious offenses, including violent sex arrests, were: 32.6% for OSP, 34.8% for YDC, and 19% for LEGACY. The researchers point out that perhaps all three programs are similarly effective in treating JSO’s with LEGACY standing out in more effectively treating other offenses. Although the exact figures are not given, the researchers state there is a low rearrest rate for JSO’s compared with adult sex offenders.  It is concluded in this study that more research needs to be done in how LEGACY contributes to prosocial orientation and self-regulation, as well as addressing with greater scrutiny the small number of JSO’s who reoffend with sex offenses.

               This study is beneficial for professionals working in the child maltreatment field from the perspective of both the offenders as well as their victims. Many times a sex offender targets someone whom they would not consider to be a challenge or a threat, thus the likelihood of the victim being a younger or smaller child. Effectively rehabilitating juvenile sex offenders increases the safety of those they come in contact with. Also, in these cases, the offender is still a child himself and how his case is handled can affect him for the rest of his life. Placement in the most effective treatment program is of utmost importance at such a young and impressionable age. Effective rehabilitation at this age can prevent the juvenile sex offender from growing into an adult sex offender.

Bibliography

Gillis, H. L., & Gass, M. A. (2010). Treating Juveniles in a Sex Offender Program Using Adventure-Based Prgramming: A Matched Group Design. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse , 20-34.