Responses to treatment for sex offenders with intellectual disability: a comparison of men with 1- and 2-year probation sentences

The present study compares the responses to treatment of sex offenders with intellectual disability receiving 1- and 2-year probationary sentences. Th ere were seven subjects in each group. There were no differences between su bjects with regard to age, IQ or previous offences. All subjects received g roup treatment which addressed issues of: denial, minimization and responsi bility for the offence; harm done to the victim; behaviour consistent with offending; and victim awareness and confidentiality. The subjects were asse ssed on a standard questionnaire designed to assess attitudes consistent wi th sex offending. All subjects were convicted of either indecent exposure o r offences against children. There was a significant difference between the groups at the end of the probation period with subjects sentenced to 2 yea rs' probation showing greater improvement Subjects receiving I years' proba tion retained a number of attitudes consistent with denial and minimization of their offence. Furthermore, follow-up data underlined the poorer respon se to treatment for the 1-year probation group in terms of re-offending rat es and assessment of attitudes consistent with sex offending. The authors r ecommend that a court order for a I-year period of probation with treatment is of little value when dealing with sex offenders with intellectual disab ility. Rather, a period of at least 2 years' probation with a treatment rec ommendation is suggested.