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In Their Voices: Perspectives of Incarcerated Sex Offenders on Their Treatment Experiences

NCJ Number
225463
Journal
Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: 2008 Pages: 320-345
Author(s)
Melissa D. Grady; Miriam Brodersen
Date Published
2008
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article examines the perspectives of recipients of a North Carolina treatment program for imprisoned sexual offenders.
Abstract
The article found six themes concerning the treatment program which emerged from its survey of incarcerated offenders: most important program aspect; least important aspect; sustained skills; peer experience; therapeutic experience; and participants’ recommendations for improvement. This article presents findings from a qualitative study evaluating the perspectives of inmates in the North Carolina prison system who completed a treatment program designed for incarcerated sex offenders. The program, Sex Offender Accountability and Rehabilitation (SOAR), is a therapeutic program for sex offenders administered by the Department of Corrections in that State. Additionally, discussion is offered on a review of prior literature; limitations of this study; issues concerning implications for practice; and recommendations for future research on improving sex offender treatment. Survey data were collected from evaluations of surveys of 18 inmates regarding their experiences in treatment and the program-acquired skills they continued to use after treatment. Data analysis used the grounded theory method and 30 various codes employed in the survey were collapsed to elucidate the prevalent themes cited. Tables, references, and appendix