ABSTRACT
Introduction The current empirical literature provides clear direction with respect to “what works” in
reducing recidivism with offender populations (Andrews & Bonta, 2010). Specifically, this
research suggests that corrections professionals can influence change in offenders and
reduce post-release recidivism when they design and deliver services consistent with
certain core principles of effective intervention (Andrews et al., 1990). Although it is clear
that such services must be structured, planned, and require a considerable amount of
effort to implement well, there is good reason to be optimistic about rehabilitative efforts
with offenders, including sex offender populations in particular. At the center of this
framework are the risk, need, and responsivity (RNR) principles. In short, the risk principle
refers to who should be targeted for correctional treatment, the need principle refers to
what should be targeted for change, and the responsivity principle refers to how these
factors should be targeted. This chapter discusses each of these principles in detail, and it
describes the application to sex offenders in particular. Additional emphasis is also given to
the fidelity principle, which underscores the importance of ensuring adherence to the RNR
principles through intentional efforts to measure and improve the quality of such services.
Rationale for the Treatment of Sex Offenders In comparison with the overall population of offenders, individuals convicted of sexual
offenses constitute a relatively small proportion (Brown, 2005). Furthermore, many
authors have raised pertinent concerns about the level of resources required to produce a
meaningful impact on sexual recidivism (for a more detailed review, see Brown, 2005).
For these reasons, it is reasonable to critically examine the rationale for the treatment of
sex offenders within the criminal justice system. It is worth noting, however, that the vast
majority of sex offenders either remain in the community under some form of supervision
or return to the community after serving a custodial sentence (Brown, 2005). From the
perspective of reducing victimization alone, therefore, it makes sense to generate
research and cumulate knowledge about “what works” to reduce recidivism in this
important population of offenders.
