sex offenders’ experiences with treatment in the community post- release lisa sample, ph.d
TRANSCRIPT
SEX OFFENDERS’ EXPERIENCES WITH TREATMENT IN THE COMMUNITY POST-
RELEASE
Lisa Sample, Ph.D.
SAMPLE (N=112)Convicted Sex Offenders
N=112
White 106 (95%)
Male 112 (100%)
Crime Type
Contact offense 64 (57%)
• Against child < 19 60 (54%)
Non Contact offense 43 (38%)
Unknown 5 (4%)
• 89% continue to participate today, leaving me with data over time for 99 registered offenders in the community.
INTERVIEWS
• Subject led interviews• One question: how has your life been
since being convicted of a sex crime? • 1.5 hours average for initial interview• 1 hour average for follow-up interview• Subject initiated follow-up since 2012
averages twice a year
RESULTS
• Data analysis occurred through repetitive reading of interview transcript so themes could be uncovered in the data
• The themes I identified were triangulated with those noted in Max QDA, a software program for analyzing qualitative data.
• Overall, 3 themes emerged when talking about treatment opportunities/difficulties in the community.
• Lack of Providers• Lack of health insurance• Mandatory reporting laws
LACK OF PROVIDERS
•45% of registrants actively sought treatment while in the community post-release• As Scott explained, “no one will take sex offenders. They don’t want us in their waiting rooms.”•Jackson noted, “there are about 3 people in town who will take registrants as clients and so it is impossible to get in when you need to. I quit trying.”•At least 20% of my sample offered comments such as these in regard to treatment in the community and how it plays into their desistance
LACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE
•50% of those seeking treatment could not afford mental heath care•For instance, Robert stated, “I can’t find a job with health care and it is really expensive so I can’t go even if I wanted to.”•Jack obtained treatment for awhile in the community and explains, “[counselor] worked out a payment plan for me since my insurance won’t pay for counseling, but then he had to quit that so I had to quit going.”•Overall, the expense of counseling and lack of mental health insurance prohibited many from seeking the therapy they felt they needed.
MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS
•80% of those in my sample would not seek therapy even when wanting it out of fear•Everyone in NE is mandatory reporter•Steven noted, “Even if I could get in, if I tell them about things I’m thinking, they would report me to the cops and I’d be back in prison.”• Aaron told me, “they are not there to help. They simply want to find a reason to report me to the cops.”•Overall, there are misperceptions about what is to be reported to HHS or police that lead registrants to not seek help
DISCUSSION
• Compensation strategies• Use spouse’s health care coverage• Seek help as marriage counseling• Enter community programs for other problems
such as AA or NA• Seek help for a child as family therapy• Church groups for sexual addictions
• Policy Alternatives• Research as therapeutic• Fearless, provide a safe place just to share and
listen
