How to Evaluate Adult Sex Offenders

Communities are appropriately concerned about the risk posed by sex offenders and how best to manage that risk. Some of the public’s fears are well-founded because some sex offenders living among us are indeed dangerous.  Some fears may be unwarranted because not all sex offenders are equally dangerous.  It should be the job of criminal justice professionals to gather and accurately interpret information about potential risk and then implement strategies about how to manage that risk.  The accurate evaluation of a sex offender’s risk and treatment needs is an essential first step in this process.   

How to Evaluate Adult Sex Offenders is book being prepared by Dr. Brake which provides an explanation of the procedures and protocols involved in such a process.  The book explains how to conduct a variety of different kinds of sex-offender evaluations including standard pre-sentencing evaluations and evaluations of an offender’s ongoing progress in treatment.  A protocol for conducting non-criminal or pre-plea evaluations is also offered.   

The purpose of each evaluation protocol is explained and the essential information needed to conduct each is reviewed.  Various evaluation tools are discussed including different kinds of psychological tests, sexual arousal and interest measures, and actuarial risk assessment guidelines.  The special importance of polygraph testing and computer use analysis in determining risk and treatment compliance is explained.   A decision matrix for recommending various treatment dispositions is provided along with a discussion of the current controversy about the effectiveness of treatment and supervision in managing sex offenders. 

Please revisit this site for updates on the book’s expected completion date.

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