Programs to prevent relapse among sexual offenders

In the future, the Prison and Probation Service hopes to be able to treat more sexual crimes.
After a successful pilot study, a new treatment program will be introduced during the year.
– I hope that in the future we will be able to see that these programs actually have an effect on how many people relapse, says Johanna Lätth, expert on sexual crime issues at the authority.

The new treatment in the Prison and Probation Service is aimed at inmates who are deemed to have a lower risk of relapse in sexual offenses.

The program includes therapy, role -playing and other treatment.

– This is a sexual offense program designed to address what we know are risk factors for relapse among sexual crime convicted. Where we work with cognitive behavioral therapy with the risk factors and also identify what risk situations each client has. And how to best prevent and manage them, says Johanna Lätth, who is an expert on sexual crime issues at the Prison and Probation Service.

Twice as many fulfill their treatment

A new comprehensive program has also been introduced for sexual criminals with high relapse risk.

Together, the new programs have meant that twice as many inmates are now completing their treatment compared to before.

Following a pilot study, the program for those with lower risk has now been approved by the authority’s scientific advice.

– This means that we have got a quality stamp and that we work with the right things. The program has potential and will be implemented within the authority in 2025.