Despite a substantial expanse of literature addressing male sexual offending, the phenomenon of female sexual offending has only recently garnered empirical attention. While research remains nascent in nature, considerable advances have been made in the study of demographics, criminal characteristics, and typologies of female sexual offenders (FSOs). Similarities and differences between male and female sexual offenders have been the source of much speculation; however, hypotheses arising from this speculation have rarely been subjected to empirical scrutiny. Similarly, there has been limited examination of intra-group differences among FSOs. While myriad actuarial assessments have been developed for use with male offenders, similar measures for female offenders are practically non-existent. One notable exception is the Multiphasic Sex Inventory II (MSI II), an instrument with both male and female forms. The present study analyzed, compared, and contrasted the MSI II protocols of 300 male and female adult sex offenders.

Considerable attention has focussed on identifying individual factors associated with, or predictive of, sexual offending (e.g., Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004). In light of these individual factors, clinicians and researchers have developed standardized instruments for assessing the risk posed by sexually offending youth. Two such instruments are the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II (J-SOAP-II; Prentky & Righthand, 2003) and the Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Sexual Offence Recidivism Version 2.0 (ERASOR-II; Worling & Curwen, 2001). In addition to individual factors, research on crime has demonstrated that structural factors within the community may be important determinants of sexual and non-sexual offending (e.g., McCarthy, 1991; Ouimet, 1999; Shaw & McKay, 1942; Wirth, 1938). Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to compare the psychometric properties of two newly developed risk assessment instruments (i.e., J-SOAP-II and ERASOR-II) and (b) to use the better instrument to compare the levels of risk posed by sexually offending youth in 3 neighbouring, but diverse communities. Using file information, the J-SOAP-II and ERASOR-II were scored on 84 adolescent males between the ages of 11 and 20 years who had committed a sexual offence and received treatment at Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services (YFPS) in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA; n = 30), Central Okanagan (CO; n = 26), and Thompson Nicola region (TN; n = 28). Calculations of interrater reliability and item-total correlations indicated that the J-SOAP-II was a better assessment instrument for this sample of offenders. Consequently, further regional analysis of risk was conducted using the J-SOAP-II data. Results indicated that although there were no regional differences among the severity and history of sexual offending, TN youth generally had a greater number of risk factors than did youth in CO and GVA. Specifically, youth in TN were found to be higher risk in the areas of intervention, general problem behaviour, iii and family/environment dynamics. These results suggest that to better understand youth who commit sexual offences and to provide appropriate prevention and intervention strategies for individual offenders and their communities, youth should not be evaluated in isolation from their social and community context. Recommendations for practice are discussed.

Considerable attention has focussed on identifying individual factors associated with, or predictive of, sexual offending (e.g., Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004). In light of these individual factors, clinicians and researchers have developed standardized instruments for assessing the risk posed by sexually offending youth. Two such instruments are the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II (J-SOAP-II; Prentky & Righthand, 2003) and the Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Sexual Offence Recidivism Version 2.0 (ERASOR-II; Worling & Curwen, 2001). In addition to individual factors, research on crime has demonstrated that structural factors within the community may be important determinants of sexual and non-sexual offending (e.g., McCarthy, 1991; Ouimet, 1999; Shaw & McKay, 1942; Wirth, 1938). Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to compare the psychometric properties of two newly developed risk assessment instruments (i.e., J-SOAP-II and ERASOR-II) and (b) to use the better instrument to compare the levels of risk posed by sexually offending youth in 3 neighbouring, but diverse communities. Using file information, the J-SOAP-II and ERASOR-II were scored on 84 adolescent males between the ages of 11 and 20 years who had committed a sexual offence and received treatment at Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services (YFPS) in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA; n = 30), Central Okanagan (CO; n = 26), and Thompson Nicola region (TN; n = 28). Calculations of interrater reliability and item-total correlations indicated that the J-SOAP-II was a better assessment instrument for this sample of offenders. Consequently, further regional analysis of risk was conducted using the J-SOAP-II data. Results indicated that although there were no regional differences among the severity and history of sexual offending, TN youth generally had a greater number of risk factors than did youth in CO and GVA. Specifically, youth in TN were found to be higher risk in the areas of intervention, general problem behaviour, iii and family/environment dynamics. These results suggest that to better understand youth who commit sexual offences and to provide appropriate prevention and intervention strategies for individual offenders and their communities, youth should not be evaluated in isolation from their social and community context. Recommendations for practice are discussed.

Considerable attention has focussed on identifying individual factors associated with, or predictive of, sexual offending (e.g., Efta-Breitbach & Freeman, 2004). In light of these individual factors, clinicians and researchers have developed standardized instruments for assessing the risk posed by sexually offending youth. Two such instruments are the Juvenile Sex Offender Assessment Protocol-II (J-SOAP-II; Prentky & Righthand, 2003) and the Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Sexual Offence Recidivism Version 2.0 (ERASOR-II; Worling & Curwen, 2001). In addition to individual factors, research on crime has demonstrated that structural factors within the community may be important determinants of sexual and non-sexual offending (e.g., McCarthy, 1991; Ouimet, 1999; Shaw & McKay, 1942; Wirth, 1938). Therefore, the purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to compare the psychometric properties of two newly developed risk assessment instruments (i.e., J-SOAP-II and ERASOR-II) and (b) to use the better instrument to compare the levels of risk posed by sexually offending youth in 3 neighbouring, but diverse communities. Using file information, the J-SOAP-II and ERASOR-II were scored on 84 adolescent males between the ages of 11 and 20 years who had committed a sexual offence and received treatment at Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services (YFPS) in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA; n = 30), Central Okanagan (CO; n = 26), and Thompson Nicola region (TN; n = 28). Calculations of interrater reliability and item-total correlations indicated that the J-SOAP-II was a better assessment instrument for this sample of offenders. Consequently, further regional analysis of risk was conducted using the J-SOAP-II data. Results indicated that although there were no regional differences among the severity and history of sexual offending, TN youth generally had a greater number of risk factors than did youth in CO and GVA. Specifically, youth in TN were found to be higher risk in the areas of intervention, general problem behaviour, iii and family/environment dynamics. These results suggest that to better understand youth who commit sexual offences and to provide appropriate prevention and intervention strategies for individual offenders and their communities, youth should not be evaluated in isolation from their social and community context. Recommendations for practice are discussed. / Graduate Studies, College of (Okanagan) / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to contextualise the Swaziland correctional services environment and inmate population, analysing how best to respond to the needs of the organisation and providing strategies that can have an impact on crime and recidivism. Offenders in Swaziland are incarcerated because alternatives to imprisonment or the resources necessary to make a visible impact on the inmate population are not provided. There is also very little scientific information available on the profiles of inmates to determine who really needs to be incarcerated, who could be incarcerated for a shorter time and who could be taken care of in the community. In addition to the above, Swaziland correctional services finds itself in a predicament where it has to provide concrete evidence that it is effective and adding value to the social and economic reconstruction of the country. This implies the frequent assessment of the organisation's performance to ensure the continuous delivery of cost-effective, innovative and high quality correctional services. In an attempt to understand the breadth of the problems faced by Swaziland correctional services, this thesis sets out to assess the environment in which Swaziland correctional services operates and to suggest mechanisms which can be used to rehabilitate and reduce the inmate population in order to add value and sustain the delivery of an effective correctional service. This study would seem to be of value not only to correctional practitioners, but also to the police and judiciary in that they will have a better understanding of dilemmas faced by Swaziland correctional services. This will assist the police and judiciary to take more informed decisions with regard to effective law enforcement, detention of awaiting-trials and sentencing practices. With Swaziland and other African countries embarking on a new route in corrections, the academic world can also play a major role in enlightening reform in legislation, policies and practices. / Penology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

Since the Department of Correctional Services has been transformed into an institution of rehabilitation and the promotion of corrections has become a societal responsibility, there is a new dimension to the classification system whereby offenders are separated according to their potential for treatment and training programmes. Research into offender classification as a tool to rehabilitate offenders in corrections was necessitated by the way in which assessment was used for classification. Corrections uses offender files as the only determinant of classification assessment. Simply investigating offender files and observing classification hearings does not reveal the full aspects of the character of the offender as an individual. Corrections does not use qualitative research to gain an understanding of real issues faced by the offender. The problems with classification are also quantity assessments that are too narrow. Most correctional institutions believe that better data and statistical analysis will in one way or the other improve the situation for offenders and correctional officials. Staffs have limited skills and lack the appropriate training to support the rehabilitation of offenders. This remains an obstacle to the delivery and transformation of the department and implies that there is ineffective treatment of offenders. The increasing dissatisfaction with treatment and rehabilitation services available to offenders in South African prisons can result in an increase in recidivism. All of the above are reasons why this research became important. The investigation contributes largely to scientific knowledge regarding the importance of classification for each individual within corrections. In this research the extent to which classification treatment rehabilitation arrangements are based on the concept of differential treatment is studied. This implies that offenders' needs and problems must be specific and treated on an individualised basis. This study focuses on classifying offenders as a means to rehabilitate them effectively. Particular emphasis will be placed on philosophical approaches, theoretical frameworks and the effectiveness of offenders' treatment through the utilisation of reliable assessment tools. This research was conducted through an extensive literature study by examining offender classification as a rehabilitation tool from a Penological perspective. International and national approaches as well as standards for the treatment of offenders and a range of rehabilitation programmes were also studied. / Department of Penology / M.A. (Penology)

The purpose of this study was to contextualise the Swaziland correctional services environment and inmate population, analysing how best to respond to the needs of the organisation and providing strategies that can have an impact on crime and recidivism. Offenders in Swaziland are incarcerated because alternatives to imprisonment or the resources necessary to make a visible impact on the inmate population are not provided. There is also very little scientific information available on the profiles of inmates to determine who really needs to be incarcerated, who could be incarcerated for a shorter time and who could be taken care of in the community. In addition to the above, Swaziland correctional services finds itself in a predicament where it has to provide concrete evidence that it is effective and adding value to the social and economic reconstruction of the country. This implies the frequent assessment of the organisation's performance to ensure the continuous delivery of cost-effective, innovative and high quality correctional services. In an attempt to understand the breadth of the problems faced by Swaziland correctional services, this thesis sets out to assess the environment in which Swaziland correctional services operates and to suggest mechanisms which can be used to rehabilitate and reduce the inmate population in order to add value and sustain the delivery of an effective correctional service. This study would seem to be of value not only to correctional practitioners, but also to the police and judiciary in that they will have a better understanding of dilemmas faced by Swaziland correctional services. This will assist the police and judiciary to take more informed decisions with regard to effective law enforcement, detention of awaiting-trials and sentencing practices. With Swaziland and other African countries embarking on a new route in corrections, the academic world can also play a major role in enlightening reform in legislation, policies and practices. / Penology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

The thesis examine the process of rehabilitation offered by the Department of Correctional Service as from the time the offender is admitted (sentenced) until such time he is released back into society. Rehabilitation in the departmental context is based on four key delivery areas, which must be in place to ensure that offenders are rehabilitated. Faced with several challenges, e.g. demilitarization, structural defects of the facilities that are not conducive for rehabilitation or build for Unit management principles, career path developed for officials, and the transformation of the old penitentiary system to the new generation prison system, the department failed to achieve their objectives. The thesis will examine the current process of rehabilitation in the Department of Correctional Service, and identify areas of under performance to seek best practices to improve service delivery. The study will also focus on the readiness of offenders to be release as rehabilitated offenders and the After Care the Department provide to offenders upon their release. / Corrections Management / M.A. (Correctional Management)

Since the Department of Correctional Services has been transformed into an institution of rehabilitation and the promotion of corrections has become a societal responsibility, there is a new dimension to the classification system whereby offenders are separated according to their potential for treatment and training programmes. Research into offender classification as a tool to rehabilitate offenders in corrections was necessitated by the way in which assessment was used for classification. Corrections uses offender files as the only determinant of classification assessment. Simply investigating offender files and observing classification hearings does not reveal the full aspects of the character of the offender as an individual. Corrections does not use qualitative research to gain an understanding of real issues faced by the offender. The problems with classification are also quantity assessments that are too narrow. Most correctional institutions believe that better data and statistical analysis will in one way or the other improve the situation for offenders and correctional officials. Staffs have limited skills and lack the appropriate training to support the rehabilitation of offenders. This remains an obstacle to the delivery and transformation of the department and implies that there is ineffective treatment of offenders. The increasing dissatisfaction with treatment and rehabilitation services available to offenders in South African prisons can result in an increase in recidivism. All of the above are reasons why this research became important. The investigation contributes largely to scientific knowledge regarding the importance of classification for each individual within corrections. In this research the extent to which classification treatment rehabilitation arrangements are based on the concept of differential treatment is studied. This implies that offenders' needs and problems must be specific and treated on an individualised basis. This study focuses on classifying offenders as a means to rehabilitate them effectively. Particular emphasis will be placed on philosophical approaches, theoretical frameworks and the effectiveness of offenders' treatment through the utilisation of reliable assessment tools. This research was conducted through an extensive literature study by examining offender classification as a rehabilitation tool from a Penological perspective. International and national approaches as well as standards for the treatment of offenders and a range of rehabilitation programmes were also studied. / Department of Penology / M.A. (Penology)