Therapeutic activities project towards sex offenders during imprisonment

Abstract

On the basis of personal experience and the analysis of literature, the authors present the contemporary idea of therapeutic activities towards sex offenders, which is the basis of correctional program carried out within Rzeszów Prison.
The idea of presented program relies on cognitive-behavioral theories. According to this approach, therapeutic activities are focused on exposing cognitive distortions, stereotypes and attitudes towards sexuality. The stages of decision process leading to abuse are analyzed during the therapeutic work. Such an approach is meant to enable the offender intervening and restraining his deviant behavior in due course. Authors present the main methods of therapeutic work used during therapy that lasts for ten months.
The experience shows that offenders make some progress in therapeutic process after finishing ten-month work cycle. Nevertheless, combining psychotherapy with medical and pharmaceutical treatment essentially strengthens the results of therapy after leaving the prison.