A comparison of two Manitoba justice sexual offender programs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to consider to what degree each of two sexual offender programs offered by Manitoba Justice adhere to the research based practice principles of risk, need, and responsivity and to assess the degree of therapeutic alliance that is created in each group.

In-person interviews were conducted with employees and past participants who are connected to each of the programs. Current participants of the two programs were asked to complete a questionnaire about therapeutic alliance.

The findings indicated that neither of the programs adhere to the risk principle, both adhere to the responsivity principle, and only one adheres to the need principle. There was no difference on the clients’ perception of therapeutic alliance within the groups.

Recommendations provided with regards to the sexual offender programming offered by Manitoba Justice include consistent programming, education/mentorship, utilizing a secondary risk assessment, and evaluation and research.