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Current Role of Post-Conviction Sex Offender Polygraph Testing in Sex Offender Treatment

NCJ Number
207005
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 12 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 2003 Pages: 175-194
Author(s)
Ron Kokish
Date Published
2003
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This overview of the current role of postconviction sex offender polygraph testing (PSOPT) in sex offender treatment addresses how polygraphy works, polygraph testing and treatment goals, eliciting increased information, achieving increased treatment and supervision compliance, accuracy estimates, the polygraph in context, and an assessment of the current status and future direction of polygraph testing in sex offender treatment.
Abstract
Objectives related to the treatment goals for sex offenders are patient honesty with therapists, group members, family, and other significant people; patient compliance with treatment procedures; and patient compliance with supervision conditions. Proponents of PSOPT maintain that it significantly enhances their ability to attain these objectives. As long ago as 1975, sex offender treatment programs began using polygraph examinations to obtain more complete sexual histories and to monitor program compliance. Over the years, polygraph examinations have become an increasingly important tool for sex offender treatment. The utility of the polygraph stems from its ability to elicit information from offenders who might be less forthcoming under traditional interviewing techniques. Generally, polygraph examinations help achieve increased honesty within and outside the treatment setting. The scientific debate on PSOPT, however, is just beginning. In discussing polygraph accuracy, this article limits itself to the polygraph format of the Comparison Questions Tests (CQT). The issues addressed in polygraph accuracy estimates are laboratory compared to field data, differences in polygraph examiners, differences in tests, and base rates of truthfulness and attempted deception. This article offers 10 recommendations for the ethical use of the polygraph in treating sex offenders. These include working with examiners who adhere to training and practice guidelines established by professional polygraph organizations, the protection of patients from prosecution for self-disclosed crimes committed prior to beginning treatment, the use of additional forms of monitoring by treatment teams, and the use of NDI (no deception indicated) charts in supporting case management decisions. 4 notes and 38 references