Program accreditation and correctional treatment

The Absence of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in the Treatment of Sexual Abusers: Recommendations for Moving Toward the Use of a True EBP Model

Despite a continued evolution of the field of sexual abuser treatment toward a distinct professional discipline with clinicians using an increasing variety of treatment approaches, there is no consensus regarding the strength of our various clinical interventions as evidence-based practices (EBPs). This article provides a brief history of the development and goals of EBPs in medicine and mental health, and a review of the earnest efforts of researchers within the field to establish treatment approaches with sexual abusers as evidence-based. An appraisal of the current status of EBP's with sexual abusers is provided. Although there have been improvements in the methodological quality of treatment outcome research with sexual abusers, divergent opinions about treatment effectiveness remain, and the field has not yet agreed on a system or set of criteria for what constitutes "evidence." We contend that clinical practice has been influenced as much, or more, by new paradigms that are intuitively meaningful and perceived as needed than it has by what has been determined to be scientifically efficacious. This trend and other processes in our field that seem to be slowing the development of EBPs with sexual abusers are discussed. Recommendations for conducting evidence-based reviews and moving the field of sexual abuser treatment toward the use of a true EBP model are provided.

The Chromis Experience: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Participants' Experiences of the Chromis Programme

This study examined male prisoners' experiences of participating in the Chromis programme, which aims to address violent behaviour in offenders with high levels of psychopathic traits. Four men who had completed Chromis and moved to new locations were purposefully sampled. This provided the opportunity for men to discuss their experiences after participating in the full programme and away from any influences of the treatment environment. Interview schedules were designed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Interview transcripts were analysed independently by two researchers using IPA who then compared and contrasted findings to develop superordinate themes across the group. Four superordinate themes resulted. These were "It's me and what I want that matters," Reaping the rewards, "It's treatment itself that makes things hard," and Make or break external influences. Across the board, participants benefited at some level from Chromis. Participants' experiences highlighted useful information that can inform practice with individuals with high levels of psychopathy. The clinical implications are discussed.

Psychological treatment of sex offenders

This article reviews the research evidence, practice guidelines and accreditation standards for the psychological treatment of individuals who commit sexually motivated crimes. Overall, the sexual offender treatment outcome research is not well developed, which limits strong conclusions. There is, however, strong research evidence concerning the effectiveness of interventions for general (non-sexual) offenders. Given the considerable overlap in risk factors for sexual and general offending, the "what works" principles for general offenders provide useful guidelines for sexual offender treatment. Specifically, the intensity of treatment should be proportional to the offender's risk level (risk principle), treatment should focus on characteristics associated with recidivism risk (i.e., criminogenic needs; need principle), and be tailored to the learning style and abilities of clients (responsivity principle). Examples of promising new approaches to sexual offender treatment are provided.

The importance of appropriate allocation to offending behavior programs

This study examined the impact on reconviction of appropriate allocation to three general offending behavior programs involving adult male offenders in the English and Welsh Probation Service. Appropriate allocation was defined by level of risk for reconviction. There were three allocation groups: too low, appropriate, and too high. Using a quasi-experimental design, the reconviction rates of offenders who were allocated to and completed a program, offenders allocated to a program who failed to start, and a comparison group were compared. It was found that the appropriateness of allocation affected reconviction independently of treatment group. Furthermore, in line with the risk principle, there was an interaction between treatment group and the appropriateness of allocation.