KIA-MARAMA - A COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED CHILD MOLESTERS

A comprehensive cognitive-behavioural treatment program for incarcerat ed child molesters is described. This program operates within Kia Mara ma, a medium-security unit for sex offenders in the New Zealand prison system. It lasts 32 weeks and includes a four-week assessment process both before and after the 24 weeks of intensive treatment. Treatment covers a variety of issues including distorted cognitions, sexual issu es, victim empathy, social skills, problem solving, life skills, stres s management, and relapse-prevention training. In addition, when offen ders are released they are supervised by professionals trained in rela pse-prevention procedures. As this program began in late 1989, it is t oo early to properly estimate its success, but similar programs in Nor th America have produced promising outcome data, and what tentative ev idence we have to date suggests that the program is valuable.