Working with Sex Offenders in Prisons and through Release to the Community

This work is the first study of its kind to look at a wide range of issues and problems relating to the management of sexual offenders in prisons. As Spencer points out, treatment for sexual offenders cannot simply be slotted into the present prison system. His analysis of the delivery of prison based offence-specific programmes within the broader context of criminal justice systems and the community provides valuable insight into the relationship between prisons and other agencies dealing with sex offenders. Spencer also examines issues such as the links between victims and offenders, sex offenders in special hospitals, women as sex abusers, the use of pornography and sexual offender notification. In this book, Spencer makes a strong case for implementing treatment for sexual offenders within prisons, as well as the need for treatment and supervision in the community once the offenders have been released. His multi-agency approach is an innovative and cohesive strategy for effective interventions/ treatment and highlights major issues which need to be addressed so that programmes stand a chance of succeeding in a penal setting.