A 1987 national survey indicates that male sex offenders constitute 25 to 30 percent of the total inmate population. Sex offenders include child molesters and rapists whose sexual deviance may result from one or a combination of biological, behavioral, psychological, and cultural factors. Statistics suggest that the recidivism rate of untreated sex offenders is about 60 percent, while the recidivism rate for treated sex offenders is about 15 to 20 percent. Because not all sex offenders are equally amenable to treatment, it is important to develop assessment procedures to identifying good candidates. Such procedures include clinical interviews, self-reporting, psychological tests, questionnaires, and physiological methods such as the plethysmograph. Treatment planning on a statewide level should include representation from the legislature, the judiciary, the prosecutor's office, victim advocacy groups, private treatment providers, and correctional administrators and clinicians. Issues in policy decisions encompass legislation, lead agency for program implementation, resource allocation, program site, priority populations, and transitional services. Program management issues concern length of treatment, sex offender participation in institutional and temporary leave programs, conjugal visits, and reintegration of sex offenders into the community. The cost of sex offender treatment and legal issues associated with treatment are examined.