Beyond ‘what works’: implementing sex offender treatment programs in the ‘real world’

Susan Rayment-McHugh; Emma Belton; Nadine McKillop; Larissa S Christensen; Tim Prenzler; Lorelei Hine

doi:10.1080/10509674.2022.2045529

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Beyond ‘what works’: implementing sex offender treatment programs in the ‘real world’

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Beyond ‘what works’: implementing sex offender treatment programs in the ‘real world’

Susan Rayment-McHugh, Emma Belton, Nadine McKillop, Larissa S Christensen, Tim Prenzler and Lorelei Hine

Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Vol.61(3), pp.148-167

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10509674.2022.2045529

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Abstract

Correctional theory, offender treatment and rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

Sex offender treatment

evaluation

implementation

realist

Extending the ‘what works’ tradition in correctional research, realist evaluation approaches champion the need to understand the nuances of program implementation and effectiveness, asking “what works, for whom, in what circumstances, in what respects, and how?”. This highlights the importance of understanding how programs work in ‘real world’ settings, and not simply whether or not they produce a positive outcome overall. Informed by this approach, the current study employed focus groups and interviews with corrective services programs staff in Australia, to explore factors that impact program success and key program implementation considerations. Findings reveal system-, program-, and individual- level factors that appear to impact program success, largely by constraining program delivery. Identified implementation considerations included program design and delivery, and staffing and resources. By examining the nuances of program delivery, this study provides a better understanding of the ‘real-world’ operation of custodial sex offender treatment programs, and adds important context to reported outcome studies.

Details

Title: Beyond ‘what works’: implementing sex offender treatment programs in the ‘real world’
Authors: Susan Rayment-McHugh (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Emma Belton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Nadine McKillop (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Larissa S Christensen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Tim Prenzler (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Lorelei Hine (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
Publication details: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, Vol.61(3), pp.148-167
Publisher: Routledge
Date published: 2022
DOI: 10.1080/10509674.2022.2045529
ISSN: 1540-8558
Organisation Unit: Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Law and Criminology - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99620208802621
Output Type: Journal article

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