A Consumer Satisfaction Survey of Civilly Committed Sex Offenders in Illinois

Authors

Jill S. Levenson, Lynn University
David S. Prescott, Becket Family of Services
Shan Jumper, Liberty Health Care, Illinois DHS Treatment and Detention Facility

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-29-2013

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X12472956

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain feedback from civilly committed sex offenders (N = 113) about the components of treatment that they believed to be most important and helpful in preventing reoffense. Participants were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the treatment process and therapists. Victim empathy and accountability were rated as the most important elements of treatment, along with skills for preventing relapse and methods for controlling sexual arousal. There was a fairly robust correlation between client perceptions of importance and satisfaction on most treatment components. Some clients expressed concerns about respect, confidentiality, and judgmental attitudes of some therapists. Because civilly committed sex offenders are considered to be among the most likely to reoffend, strategies are discussed for engagement of this population in a meaningful process of change.

Publication

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

Publisher

SAGE Publishing

Volume

58

Issue

4

Pages

474-495

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Comments

Article first published online: January 29, 2013; Issue published: April 1, 2014

Recommended Citation

Levenson, J. S., Prescott, D. S., & Jumper, S. (2013). A consumer satisfaction survey of civilly committed sex offenders in Illinois. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 58(4), 474-495. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X12472956