ABSTRACT

There is growing recognition for the importance of group processes in treatment for sexual and other offenders. However, there is little evidence about the influence of programmming factors that affect the composition of groups, including use of closed or open groups. The current study examined how group format was associated with programme attrition and reoffending outcomes for sex offenders attending custody-based treatment programmes. Cohorts of offenders who attended a programme as it transitioned from a closed group format to an open group format were compared to cohorts of offenders in a second programme that remained in closed group format over the study period (n = 490). We found that post-intervention cohorts in both programmes showed reductions in rates of programme non-completion which were not significantly associated with group format. Group format was not a significant predictor of reoffending outcomes. The results suggest that both open and closed groups may be viable alternatives for achieving treatment outcomes in intensive sex offender programmes.

摘要

人们越来越认识到团体过程在治疗性犯罪者和其他犯罪者中的重要性。然而，几乎没有证据表明影响群体组成的编程因素的影响，包括使用封闭或开放的群体。目前的研究检查了团体形式如何与参加基于监护权的治疗计划的性犯罪者的计划减员和再犯罪结果相关联。将参加从封闭式小组形式转变为开放式小组形式的计划的罪犯群组与在研究期间保持封闭小组形式的第二个计划中的罪犯群组进行比较（n = 490)。我们发现，两个项目的干预后队列均显示项目未完成率降低，这与小组形式没有显着相关性。小组形式不是重犯结果的重要预测因素。结果表明，开放组和封闭组都可能是在强化性犯罪者项目中实现治疗结果的可行替代方案。