This in-house counseling service targets offenders who are supervised on the Sex Offender caseload and are court ordered to therapy.  This program's purpose is the enhancement of supervision, assisting in the facilitation of the protection of society and rehabilitation of the defendant.

Attitudinal and behavioral conflict, opposite the norms of society, represent one of our jurisdiction's major problems.  Professional counseling/therapy is the means by which the probationers can obtain the dynamics to become reality oriented and appropriately functional.  The prudent and cost effective solution to the problem is to provide a resource to meet the needs of the offenders by employment of the in-house Therapist (LPC, RSOTP).  The Therapist provides the environment for the defendants to address the problems that contribute psychologically and socially to their inappropriate behavior.  This is done through psychological testing/profiling, counseling/therapy, and on-going treatment.  The Therapist staffs the cases with the supervision officers on a bi-monthly basis and provides written progress reports.  The information is incorporated into the Case Classification Supervision Plans.

There are three assessment instruments the Sex Offender Counselor uses to assess the offenders placed in Sex Offender Counseling.

·         The Multiphasic Sex Inventory-II (MSI-II), if required, is the first assessment instrument scheduled for the Sex Offender who enters the treatment program.  It consists of a self-report, written or audio taped evaluation of the Offender’s specific socio-sexual behaviors and beliefs.

·         The ABEL assessment, if required, is the second assessment scheduled for the Sex Offender.  The assessment is designed to profile specific age group, gender, and sexual behaviors, which are most sexually arousing to the Sex Offender.  It is also useful in measuring treatment progress for Pedophiles and Rapists, and is sometimes required of other Sex Offenders as deemed necessary.

·         The Polygraph is administered to assure honesty and truth in treatment and/or aftercare of the Sex Offender.  All Sex Offenders classified as Phase 4 Aftercare are polygraphed once annually.  Sex Offenders classified as exceptionally high-risk may be polygraphed twice annually, or as deemed necessary.

 TREATMENT

 It is important to note that underlying this treatment program are several concepts and ideas that preclude the acceptance of any deterministic theories of behavior and personality.

A.                Methods of treatment are designed around Cognitive/Behavioral theory and the philosophy of Personal Responsibility.  Taking responsibility for one’s own decision and consequences is absolutely essential to progressing through treatment.  Also included is cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention, theories of addiction, and techniques of Reality Therapy.

B.                 Treatment is presented in three (3) Phases designed to show progress and allow each Sex Offender to calculate at any given time his/her expected completion date.

1.      Phase 1 consists of ten (10) units of written work, and requires approximately 106 clock hours to complete.  At this point, the Sex Offender is required to attend treatment weekly.  As a guide, the Sex Offender is allowed one (1) calendar year from his date of entry into treatment to complete Phase 1 requirements.  If he/she is not able to complete the work required in a calendar year, the Supervision Officer will follow-up and take appropriate action. 

Should there be legitimate extenuating or unavoidable negative circumstances whereby the Sex Offender is absolutely unable to complete the work within the prescribed year; appropriate allowances can be made as necessary.  

2.      Phase 2 consists of approximately 50 clock hours of group process.  The Sex Offender is required to attend weekly until he accumulates these hours, at which time he will progress to Phase 3.

3.      Phase 3 consists of approximately 24 clock hours of group process.  The Sex Offender is required to attend treatment every other meeting until he/she accumulates the required number of hours and satisfied all treatment goals at which time he/she will have completed the Sex Offender Treatment.

C.                 Sex Offenders who have successfully completed all Phases will be automatically enrolled in Phase 4 aftercare.  Participate in groups and maintenance screening of Sex Offenders in Phase 4 will be at the discretion of the Staff Therapist.  Completion of clock hours and work assignment in each phase does not automatically constitute advancement to the next phase.  The Staff Therapist reserves the right to hold and/or amend participation in any phase.

D.                The Sex Offenders are encouraged to raise and process personal issues as necessary. They are to report to the group any deviant impulses they’ve experienced, and any high-risk situations they may have experienced.  They are to inform the group how they conducted their behavior to avoid reoffending.  Transfer-In Sex Offenders, who have completed treatment or have been court ordered, will be enrolled in this Phase. 

The following table illustrates activity of Sex Offender Counseling from FY ’04 through ’07:  

The following table illustrates Sex Offender Counseling discharge data by Discharge Reason: