Showing papers in "International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology in 1990"
TL;DR: Comparisons showed that significantly fewer subjects in the MST condition had been rearrested for sexual crimes and that the frequency of sexual rearrests was significantly lower in theMST condition than in the IT condition.
Abstract: This study compared the efficacy of multisystemic therapy (MST) and individual therapy (IT) in the outpatient treatment of adolescent sexual offenders. Sixteen adolescent sexual offenders were randomly assigned to either MST or IT conditions. Youths in the MST and IT conditions received an average of 37 hours and 4S hours of treatment, respectively. Recidivism data were collected on all subjects at an approximately 3-year follow-up. Betweengroups comparisons showed that significantly fewer subjects in the MST condition had been rearrested for sexual crimes and that the frequency of sexual rearrests was significantly lower in the MST condition than in the IT condition. The relative efficacy of MST was attributed to its emphasis on changing behavior and interpersonal relations within the offender's natural environment.
447 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied 15 adolescent rapists and 17 adolescent child sexual assaulters with respect to their psychiatric and physical status, family history, their victim(s), and their modus operandi.
Abstract: We studied 15 adolescent rapists and 17 adolescent child sexual assaulters with respect to their psychiatric and physical status, family history, their victim(s), and their modus operandi. While the two groups were disturbed to a similar extent in terms of their psychiatric and family findings, they differed in age, choice of victim(s), and certain aspects of their modus operandi. The findings are discussed by comparison to current literature on adolescent and adult rapes. Several findings such as the higher proportion of cross-racial rapes, more frequent prior use of alcohol and drugs by the offender, and lack of victim provocation appear to be more characteristic of adolescent rapes.
83 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a specialized approach to the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders is presented with particular attention given to the utilization of cognitive-behavioral methodologies for the amelioration of impulse control problems and deviant sexual arousal.
Abstract: A specialized approach to the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders is presented. Etiological issues leading to treatment innovation are discussed with particular attention given to the utilization of cognitive-behavioral methodologies for the amelioration of impulse control problems and deviant sexual arousal. Preandpost-treatment data are presentedforfifteen adolescent child molesters of prepubescent females and twelve adolescent child molesters of prepubescent males. Adolescent child molesters of both young males and females demonstrated stable responses to deviant stimuli across baseline conditions (two assessments, one to four months apart), but a marked reduction in deviant arousal at a two-month treatment interval (39.3% reduction to male pedophilic cues, p <.05; 33.5% reduction to female pedophilic cues, p <.01) using plethysmographic assessment. Contrastingly, arousal to description of consensual sexual activity with a same age female remained high across baseline and treatment conditions crea...
55 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe 30 juvenile sex offender treatment programs and explore what rehabilitative strategies administrators would implement if unconstrained by financial and political circumstances, as well as what rehabilitation strategies administrators are willing to implement.
Abstract: Today's criminal justice system faces enormous challenges across a broad spectrum of issues. Sex offenses are one such issue posing unique problems to criminal justice practitioners. Research on adult sex offenders indicates offense patterns begin early in life, usually around preor postadolescence. This underscores the importance ofjuvenile sex offender rehabilitative intervention to curb individuals' offense histories before they escalate in severity and frequency. This nationwide study describes 30 juvenile sex offender treatment programs. Survey research identifies programs in state institutions treating incarcerated juveniles for sex crimes. The article details treatment modalities offered juveniles and describes biological, behavioral, and psychological regimens. The article also explores what rehabilitative strategies administrators would implement if unconstrained by financial andpolitical circumstances.
25 citations
TL;DR: This article examined elderly prisoners in a southwestern United States institution, and compared their disciplinary histories using variables such as physical health, relative age, previous incarcerations, and mental health problems, as few significant differences were found and prediction of elderly inmates with disciplinary histories remained problematic.
Abstract: As a group, elderly prisoners are regarded as less troublesome and generally well-behaved. Consequently, those with adjustment problems and disciplinary actions tend to be overlooked and are virtually nonexistent in the literature. This study examined elderly prisoners in a southwestern United States institution, and compared their disciplinary histories. Since disciplined inmates represented approximately 40 percent of the elderly population, unanticipated conflict could result if special facilities and programs are designed with stereotypical images of the elderly in mind. Using variables such as physical health, relative age, previous incarcerations, and mental health problems, as few significant differences were found and prediction of elderly inmates with disciplinary histories remained problematic.
24 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the effects of demographic variables of age, race (ethnicity), gender, marital status, and education on stress, anger, curiosity, perception of institutional stressors, and reactions to institutional variables manifested by inmates incarcerated in Florida prisons.
Abstract: The present study explored the effects of the demographic variables of age, race (ethnicity), gender, marital status, and education on stress, anger, curiosity, perception of institutional stressors, and reactions to institutional variables manifested by inmates incarcerated in Florida prisons. A total of 783 inmates were selectedfrom eight different institutions housing adult, youthful offender, and female inmates. The sample included some of the least violent and most violent inmates in the system. The measures used consisted of standardized paper and pencil tests designed to assess anxiety, anger, and curiosity. In addition, several nonstandardized measures of institutional stressors and of inmates' reactions to institutional stressors were also employed. The data revealed that inmates enter the institution with a set of personal characteristics that could have substantial impact on their relationships with other inmates and correctional staff. The results were interpreted in terms of both institutiona...
24 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of detention centre custody on levels of self-esteem, hopelessness, and custodial adjustment among 32 Scottish Young Offenders were assessed on admission, at the mid-point of their sentence, and prior to release.
Abstract: The present study assessed the effects of Detention Centre custody on levels of self-esteem, hopelessness, and custodial adjustment among 32 Scottish Young Offenders. All inmates were sentenced to a 3-month period of detention where the emphasis was on physical training, personal hygiene, keeping a tidy room and kit, and the demonstration of effort. Inmates were assessed on admission, at the mid-point of their sentence, and prior to release. The main assessment measures included the Bennett Self-Attitude Inventory, the Warr and Jackson Positive and Negative Self-Esteem Scale, Coopersmith 's Behaviour Rating Form, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Thornton 's Custodial Adjustment Scale. In generalself-esteem increased significantly over time, while hopelessness decreased, and a significant adjustment to the custodial environment occurred. Findings are discussed with regard to the nature of the Dentention Centre regime.
18 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined delinquent behaviour by integrating Eysenck's theory linking delinquency to extraversion and neuroticism and Kohlberg's theory of moral development and its connection to moral behaviour.
Abstract: The present article examines delinquent behaviour by integrating two approaches which have heretofore been employed separately—Eysenck's theory linking delinquency to extraversion and neuroticism and Kohlberg's theory of moral development and its connection to moral behaviour. It analyses the relations between extraversion, neuroticism and moral judgement—as well as their independent and/or interactive effect upon the development of anti-social behaviour. The relationships are tested via retrospective measurements of personality traits and moral judgement in three groups: delinquency (N= 203), control (N= 82) and comparative (N= 407) groups.Findings indicate that criminals are higher than control subjects on neuroticism and immoral judgement but not on extraversion. Similar relationships were found between criminals and the comparative group. The implications of these results for the differential development of anti-social behaviour is discussed.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the incidence of resident-resident and staff-resident victimization in nine community based juvenile group home facilities and found that there is no significant relation-ship between the victim of assault and the age of the juvenile or the crime for which the juvenile was confined.
Abstract: The issue of victimization in our institutions has received considerable attention in the past years—especially the adult institution. This study, through the use of self-report, examines the incidence of resident-resident and staff-resident victimization in nine community based juvenile group home facilities. The findings of the study indicate that there is no significant relation-ship between the victim of assault in these group home facilities and the age of the juvenile or the offense for which the juvenile was confined. In addition, an attitude section of the self-report demonstrated that the respondents believed themselves to be relatively safe from assault.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the social background of 71 male, non-psychotic defendents charged with homicide in Copenhagen between 1959 and 1983 is compared with the corresponding data for male prison inmates as a whole and with the general male population.
Abstract: Results of studies on the social background of 71 male, non-psychotic defendents charged with homicide in Copenhagen between 1959 and 1983 are presented and compared with the corresponding data for male prison inmates as a whole and with the general male population. Available data point to resemblances between homicide defendants and prison inmates-from a temporally static viewpoint as well as when time trends are considered. Comparisons with the general population indicate a widening of the social gap between the majority of the population and a growing group of criminal marginals.
13 citations
TL;DR: A number of client characteristics and referral factors are identified as indicators of high potential for non-attendance, with implications for the allocation of resources.
Abstract: With increasing drives for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the National Health Service in England, identifying those clients who are unlikely to attend appointments may be useful when the demandforservices exceeds the supply. The brief report examines non-attenders for a forensic psychology service over a three yearperiod. A number of client characteristics and referral factors are identified as indicators of high potentialfor non-attendance, with implications for the allocation of resources.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors utilized the MMPI to assess the impact of the following variables in a sample of 90 incestuous molesters: history of physical abuse as a child, history of sexual abuse, presence of substance abuse during the molestation, number of incidents of perpetrated sexual molestation; relationship to the child; victim's age; and type of molestation.
Abstract: Recent research has focused on attempting to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the perpetration of child sexual abuse. Identification of variables differentiating clinical subtypes of child molesters is central to theory assessment andpractice specificity and innovation. The present study utilized the MMPI to assess the impact of thefollowing variables in a sample of 90 incestuous molesters: a) history of physical abuse as a child; b) history of sexual abuse as a child; c) presence of substance abuse during the molestation; d) number of incidents of perpetrated sexual molestation; e) relationship to the child; f) victim's age; and g) type of molestation. Results revealed statistical differences between child molesters on variables b, c, and d with particular clinical relevance found for variable b. Implications of the findings are discussed.
TL;DR: The "agrarian myth" portrayed rural America as a refuge from the "evils" of the urban environment as mentioned in this paper, despite this popular image, criminal violence does occur in rural communities and in some situations it evolves out of the social, political, and economic structures of rural life.
Abstract: The "agrarian myth" portrays rural America as a refuge from the "evils" of the urban environment. Despite this popular image, criminal violence does occur in rural communities and in some situations it evolves out of the social, political, and economic structures of rural life. This is illustrated by the criminal activities of various hate groups found throughout the farm belt.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors re-examine the commonly espoused rationale for incarceration in the United States in light of the realities of life behind bars, and focus on an emerging type of prison rehabilitation program, referred to as intensive incarceration, which is theoretically likely to realize its lofty goal of inmate rehabilitation.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it re-examines the commonly espoused rationale for incarceration in the United States in light of the realities of life behind bars. Second, it focuses on an emerging type of prison rehabilitation program, referred to as intensive incarceration, which is theoretically likely to realize its lofty goal of inmate rehabilitation. Specifically, the author recounts his observation of one intensive incarceration program in the Orleans Parish Prison System, and analyzes the likelihood of its success in terms of Labeling Theory and Self-Concept Theory.
TL;DR: In a follow-up of 500 randomly selected cases of adolescents adjudicated delinquent in the Dauphin County (Pennsylvania) Juvenile Court during the years 1960-75, minority (black) adolescents received discriminatory lenience in that they were treated like younger children as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Discriminatory treatment of black adolescents in our juvenile justice system has been reported to contribute to an unfavorable adult outcome for such adolescents. In a long term follow-up of 500 randomly selected cases of adolescents adjudicated delinquent in the Dauphin County (Pennsylvania) Juvenile Court during the years 1960-75, minority (black) adolescents received discriminatory lenience in that they were treated like younger children. Those who received such lenient treatment had a higher rate of adult conviction than those not so treated.
TL;DR: In this paper, a taxonomy of crime patterns is presented, and a conceptual foundation for a crime pattern classification system is provided, and the latter part of the article offers a preliminary taxonomy.
Abstract: From the 1850s to the present, considerable criminological attention has focused on the development of theoretically-significant systems for classifying crime. This article reviews and attempts to evaluate a number of these efforts, and we conclude that further work on this basic task is needed. The latter part of the article explicates a conceptualfoundation for a crime pattern classification system, and offers a preliminary taxonomy of crime.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the effectiveness of Dougherty County, Georgia's Criminal Alcoholic Program (CAP), a five-year intensive probation program for alcohol offenders, which includes the ingestion of antabuse.
Abstract: This study examines the effectiveness of Dougherty County, Georgia's Criminal Alcoholic Program. CAP is a five-year intensive probation program for alcohol offenders, which includes the ingestion of antabuse. Two samples were used: (1) those included in a two-year follow-up evaluation of CAP published previously in this Journal (N= 70); and (2) an independently derived sample of approximately equal size (N= 66). For both samples, high rearrest rates were documented during participants' original five-year probationary period—66% after two years and 80% after five years (N= 136). The recidivism rate for drunken driving was 40% after five years (N= 100). In toto, post-Program recidivists averaged more than five rearrests apiece. Offenses are scaled according to the National Survey of Crime Severity.
TL;DR: In this article, a six-session psycho-educational group treatment for shoplifting is described, which is built around the notion of pre-precipitating stressors.
Abstract: Nearly eleven million Americans were caught shoplifting in 1980. Approximately six percent of gross retail sales in the U.S. and Canada goes to cover the cost of shoplifting prevention efforts and losses. Recent research suggests that psychosocial stressors contribute heavily to shoplifting behavior, and that brief individual and group psychological treatments have thepotential to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation. This article describes in detail a six session psychoeducational group treatment which is built around the notion ofprecipitating stressors. The structuredprogram "walks" each participant in turn through the specifics of the incident which resulted in their arrest-including stressors, rationalizations, and consequences. The treatment program, implemented by masters' level counselors, consciously utilizes commonly recognized group forces. Referring judges have been well satisfied with the program, which has been used routinely with convictedfirst offense shoplifters since 1982. Probat...
TL;DR: In this article, the legal and administrative framework for the supervision of potentially dangerous offender-patients in England and Wales and some of the practical problems involved in such supervision are described.
Abstract: This article describes the legal and administrative framework for the supervision of potentially dangerous offender-patients in England and Wales and some of the practical problems involved in such supervision. The article is clinical rather than epidemiological and statistical in its orientation.
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study examines the relationship between the State of Illinois and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, as well as that between the state and local governments.
Abstract: Research was conducted to assess the impact of political obstacles to removing juveniles from adult jails in Illinois. Since the creation of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act in 1974, "jail removal" has become a priority at national and state levels. There has been a power struggle between the presidential administration and a coalition of states from 1980 through 1988. This above mentioned power struggle has effected policy in the states. This case study examines the relationship between the State of Illinois and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, as well as that between the state and local governments. The study concluded that jail removal efforts in Illinois have been hindered by the above mentioned political conflicts.