Illinois’ Standards for Sex Offender Treatment and Evaluation

1. Illinois’ Standards for Sex Offender Treatment and Evaluation The Impact of Changes to Evaluation and Treatment Standards, Guidelines and Practices Michael Kleppin, L.C.P.C., L.S.O.E., L.S.O.T.P., C.A.D.C

2. 1938 Illinois passed the first valid legislation providing for the detention and commitment of criminal sexual psychopathic persons. First Illinois Laws Regarding Sexual Offense This becomes the Sexually Dangerous Persons Commitment Act still in existence today and a blue print for the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act eventually passed in 1997 Newton Minow, The Illinois Proposal to Confine Sexually Dangerous Persons, 40 J. L. & Criminology 186 (1949-1950) The SDP Commitment varies from the SVP Commitment mostly in terms of timing of commitment. SDP occurring prior to any current (Index) criminal charge/conviction, while the SVP occurs after a current (Index) criminal charge/conviction.

3. The Sex Offender Management BoardS.O.M.B. • The SOMB was established in 1997 • By the Chapter 20 Illinois Compiled Statues 4026/15 • It is composed of a twenty-two person Board • Its function is to standardize the evaluation, treatment and management of sex offenders at each stage of the criminal, juvenile justice, or mental health systems • The goal is to “curtail” recidivistic behavior and protect victims and potential victims

4. Evaluation of Sexual OffendersSOMB Guidelines • Felony sex offenders considered for probation as part of pre-sentence or social investigation to participate (submit) to an evaluation • Sex Offender Evaluations must be completed by a Licensed Sex Offender Evaluator • In completing evaluations are encouraged to adhere to an ethical practice, incorporate multiple sources of information, utilize research supported methodologies and strive to engage clients in the assessment process

5. Sex Offender Specific Evaluation & Risk Assessment In conducting an evaluation the evaluator must be as comprehensive as possible • Include sex offender specific interview addressing all possible domains (social, criminal, index, sexual/relationships, drug use, psychiatric background and etc.) • Include collateral material (police reports, review of public records, victim statements and etc.) • Include psychometric testing (personality inventories, substance abuse questionnaires, psychological testing and etc.) • Include use of actuarial instruments as specific to interviewee and offense as possible

6. Sex Offender Evaluation & Risk Assessment Remember this is an evaluation and risk assessment • The evaluation develops the interviewee’s history and patterns by which the evaluator (and subsequent reader) can identify potential risk factors, cycles and treatment issues to be addressed in therapy. • The risk assessment makes use of the actuarial instruments (and potential adjustments) to identify risk factors and provide predictions on recidivistic tendency.

7. Law Requiring Treatment • 730 ILCS 5/5-5-3 (g); 5/5-6-3 (a) 8.5 • If convicted of a felony sex offense as defined in the Sex Offender Management Board Act, the person shall undergo and successfully complete sex offender treatment by a treatment provider approved by the Board and conducted in conformance with the standards developed under the Sex Offender Management Board Act

8. Treatment of Sexual OffendersSOMB Guidelines • Felony sex offenders sentenced by the court shall be required as part of probation, parole, conditional release, aftercare or periodic imprisonment to participate in treatment based on evaluative recommendations • Sex Offender Treatment must be completed by a Licensed Sex Offender Treatment Provider or Associate Sex Offender Treatment Provider (who is clinically supervised by a (LSOTP) • 20 ILCS 4026/17

9. Sex Offender Specific Therapy • Historically treatment has gone through an evolution from insight oriented to psychoanalytic, behavioral and now cognitive-behavioral (CBT). • Initially the earlier forms of therapy were noted to be ineffective and in some research believed to be counter productive to managing recidivism (rates increased). • Hanson & colleagues (2002) suggest treatment prior to 1980’s had little, if any effect.

10. Sex Offender Specific Therapy • In the 1960 those using Behavioral Therapy were starting to indicate success. • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy followed focusing on some of the following: -Offending attitudes -Offending cycles -Distortions -Modifying thoughts & beh. -Empathy

11. Goals of Sex Offender Specific Therapy • Although goals will vary from treatment to treatment, the core goals remain consistent. 1. No more victims or victimization 2. Reduction of deviant arousal 3. Alter lifestyle to support new pro-social behaviors conducive to relapse prevention and reduction of risk 4. Address core issues and improve self efficacy 5. Address: RISK NEED & RESPONSIVITY

12. Components in Therapy Important domains to cover in providing effective therapy are: • Better choice & problem solving skills • Increased self esteem • Emotional identification, articulation and management • Sexual understanding • Social Skills • Communication • Arousal management • Offense cycles/chains • Relapse prevention & wellness planning • Empathy • ATSA Practice Guidelines for Assessment, Treatment, and Management of Male Adult Sexual Abuser (2014)

13. Prior to 2014 - Those working with sex offending populations providing evaluation and treatment were placed on the SOMB Provider List • To be placed on the list a provider needed to complete the necessary requirement and be approved by the SOMB • This list was quite large and cumbersome

14. Changes in 2014 • Only individuals licensed as Sex Offender Therapists, Sex Offender Evaluators or Associate Providers by the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR) are approved to conduct the evaluation and treatment services. • Although this (currently) has reduced the number of providers, the quality and standard of care is increased and more readily regulated to fit within the ethical and professional standards established by the SOMB

15. “Why work with the sex offenders?” “Everyone is here, at the river’s edge, working as fast as they can pulling the soaked and drowning from its vicious currents ….. Someone should really run upstream to find out who is throwing them in.” -Anonymous- As passed on to me by my friend and mentor, “Opie”