Preliminary findings for a rehabilitation program for sexual offenses

The Young Sexual Offender Treatment Program (YSOTP) was a pilot rehabilitation program that served young adult males (ages 17–24) who committed non-child associated sexual offenses. Participants received rehabilitative services and reduced/alternative sentences for participation. Program graduates (n = 36) were post-matched against non-participants, and it was found that the program significantly reduced general criminal recidivism and nearly significantly reduced sexual recidivism. The results of this program support the implementation of alternative sentencing as a response to sexual offenses rather than incarceration. The results also justify further investigation of similar alternative sentencing programs with a larger number of participants.