The Allocation of Sexually Transgressive Juveniles to Intensive Specialized Treatment: An Assessment of the Application of RNR Principles

• Published in: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology Vol. 62; no. 5; pp. 1179 - 1200
• Main Authors: ter Beek, Ellis, van der Rijken, Rachel E. A., Kuiper, Chris H. Z., Hendriks, Jan, Stams, Geert Jan J. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-04-2018; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Behavior modification; Behavior problems; Freedom of movement; Freedoms; Imposition; Minors; Motivation; Multisystemic therapy; Recidivism; Risk; Risk assessment; Risk reduction; Sexual behavior; Sexuality; Supervision; Treatment needs; Youth; treatment; sex offender; allocation; juvenile
• ISSN: 0306-624X; 1552-6933
• DOI: 10.1177/0306624X16674684

The aim of this study was to compare results of and develop guidelines for mandatory allocation of sexually transgressive juveniles to Multisystemic Therapy - Problem Sexual Behavior (MST-PSB), Secure Youth Care (SYC), or Forensic Youth Care (FYC), based on the risk-need-responsivity model. Results of current allocation showed a population with relatively less treatment needs to receive community-based MST-PSB, compared with populations receiving residential SYC and FYC. Furthermore, estimated recidivism risk levels did not always support the need for risk reduction by the imposition of limitation of freedom of movement and maximum supervision, provided by all three treatment modalities. Based on the assessed sexual recidivism risk, 38% of the juveniles in FYC, 7% in SYC, and 24% in MST-PSB received treatment that was too intensive, which is considered detrimental to motivation and development. Future allocation practices could benefit from assessing treatment needs and recidivism risk, by use of an actuarial tool.