Evaluation of the Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme
| DOI | 10.1177/0264550517740997a |
| Author | Olivia Henry |
| Published date | 01 December 2017 |
| Date | 01 December 2017 |
| Subject Matter | Research & reports |
accountability. Despite it being a theoretical aim of the privatization to provide
responsive services that can meet the needs of differing groups, in practice small
providers have been squeezed out: reform is needed to enable small charitable
providers to effectively subcontract. He recommends CRCs publish detailed infor-
mation on outcomes for different religious and ethnic groups, and that failure to
collect data properly should lead to sanctions. He also notes the poor performance
of Through the Gate services.
Lammy notes the deeply negative impact of criminal records on ex-offenders. In
the past five years, 22,000 BAME juveniles have been added to the police national
database. He states the barriers to employment that criminal record checks create is
a serious inhibitor to desistance, which trap offenders in their past. He recommends
following an American model whereby ex-offenders can apply to a judge to have
their criminal record sealed.
Conclusion
Lammy concludesthat to counter the discrimination BAME individuals face throughout
the CJS, substantial reform is needed. Among the key messages he notes: plea
decisions are a key driver for disproportionality, and this must be addressed via
diversion schemesreform; bringing decision-making into the open willhelp offenders
to understand the process and enable unfairness to be challenged; CJS institutions
need to be diversified and clear national targets set; theYJS in particular needs to do
much more to require parents – and those responsible for Looked After Children– to
take responsibility for offending children, and that those who exploit young people
into gang life must be targeted, including utilizing Modern Slavery legislation.
He states the core principles of fairness, building trust and sharing responsibly
underpin his recommendations and offer a comprehensive way to address BAME
overrepresentation in the CJS, but the political will to implement reform is essential.
The Lammy Review: An Independent Review into the Treatment of, and Outcomes
for, BAME Adults and Young People in the CJS, by Tottenham MP David Lammy
(September 2017). Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/
lammy-review-final-report
Becky Shepherd
Southwark Youth Offending Service (London)
Evaluation of the Core Sex Offender Treatment
Programme
The Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP) was designed over 20 years
ago as a group-work based cognitive-behavioural intervention for men who have
committed sexual offences. Since 2006 the programme has been targeted at those
men identified as medium or high risk of reoffending. There have been some
changes to the programme over time but the CBT approach has remained con-
sistent. This intervention was delivered in custody in England and Wales. Different
Research & reports 425
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