Working with people with sexual convictions in HMPPS New Directions Conference 2019

1. Working with people with sexual convictions in HMPPSNew Directions Conference 2019 Fiona Williams Interventions Services HMPPS

2. Shaping our approach to people with sexual convictions

4. Context

5. Overview of the prison based Core SOTP

6. A reconviction outcome study of Core SOTP - Mews et al., (2017) • 2562 Core programme men who completed the programme between 2000 - 2012 • Compared to 13,219 men who did not do the Core programme • “Matched” using PSM methodology – robust matching on over 80 variables; age, risk level, offence type • Results • 10% of men who did the Core programme reoffended versus 8% who did not • Average follow up of 8.2 years – no difference at 5 years • Seems to be largely driven by child image reoffending There was no difference in the rates of adult serious or child contact reoffending. • Limitations • Could only match on hard facts – unable to match on soft facts. Impact of sexual deviancy. • Unable to match on other programmes attended in prison or after release

7. As our clients know only too well, it is difficult to explain a bad outcome without justifying or excusing it

8. International research The international picture shows that the impact of SOTPs has been negligible: • Programme evaluations yield mixed (and sometimes contradictory) outcome data for programmes • Most recent meta analysis (Schmucker and Losel, 2015) identified 29 eligible comparisons • Only 5 yielded unequivocally positive results • Remainder showed unreliable small positive effects or no effect; some showed iatrogenic outcome.

9. Schmucker & Losel, 2017 Sex offending outcomes

10. Moderators of success (Schmucker and Losel, 2017) • Design features • Individual sessions alongside group sessions • Highly qualified therapists and closely supervised programmes • Adherence to RNR • Behavioural component that targets deviant sexual interest • Link between designer and evaluator • Implementation features • Demonstration programmes • Community setting • Small scale • Therapeutic environment • Programme delivered close to release with extensive discharge planning

11. How well do our new programmes match up to the moderators of success?

13. Rehabilitative pendulum

16. Therapeutic environment “Where…programmes already exist, the inmate who constantly fears for his safety or cannot be certain how things will run from one day to the next is unlikely to derive the full benefit of them; he may even forgo these treatment opportunities entirely for the sake of greater protection” (Dilulio, 1987) Prison climate as a responsivity factor (Birgden, 2014)

17. Prisoners “experienced safety” which gave them the headspace to deal with their problems, engage in treatment programmes, and also grow and develop in personally meaningful ways.

18. Delivery close to release with extensive discharge planning • Earlier treatment is not associated with reduced recidivism, but it is associated with more treatment completion and more dosage is associated with better recidivism outcomes • Later exiting of treatment (in relation to release) is associated with reduced recidivism • Implications for practice • Help them make plans for the future and encourage individuals to take responsibility for their future • Assist them to develop a positive non offending identity • Strengthen relationships/ social capital Farmer, McAlinden & Maruna (2015 & 2016) McAlinden, Farmer and Maruna (2017)

19. Desistance in men who have previously committed sexual offences: an exploration of the early processes Rebecca Milner (2016) Striver Model for early desistance • Thriver • Cognitive transformation (New me) • High levels of hope • High Internal locus of control • Socially connected (Circles) • Lack of stigma • Treatment as turning point • Problem solver • Management of sexual interests • Survivor • Identity as sexual offender • Low hope and optimism • Socially isolated • Poor me • Arrest as turning point • Stigma • Shame • Damage to others

20. Living as a “sexual offender” – hopelessness, negative view of self, feeling isolated, powerless • Critical role for wrap around support from other services • Need for a holistic approach – a treatment programme is just one part of a life long effort to desist from crime.

21. Programmes as stepping stones in the process of change

22. Take away messages… • We must monitor and evaluate what we do: we need to better understand what works for who and under what conditions • Independent scrutiny and challenge are welcomed • A treatment programme is a stepping stone in the process of change • Gold standard programme design is not enough – we must do more to attend to implementation factors and ensure that the work we do in programmes is supported elsewhere in the system • We will continue to do the best we can until we know better, when we know better, we will do better

23. Thank you for listening Fiona.williams@noms.gsi.gov.uk