Sex Offender Treatment Programs in Canadian Prisons: Synthesis of Best Evidence on the Prevention of Recidivism

This rapid review synthesized the best available evidence on the effectiveness of Canadian prison-based sex offender treatment programs in preventing recidivism. Its sampling frame of 18 previous worldwide systematic and or meta-analytic reviews, as well as a host of computerized research literature databases, was searched using a broad keyword search scheme until January 2026. Nine studies of 3,568 male sexual offenders were included for analysis, all observational quasi-experiments that most typically followed their participants for 11.5 years. In support of the primary study hypothesis, the pooled, sample-weighted risk ratio of 0.40 (95% confidence interval 0.29, 0.56) seemed strong evidence that such sex offender treatment programs may be highly effective in preventing sexual reoffending. This preventive fraction estimates that they may prevent as many as 60% of all such sexual offenses that might otherwise be perpetrated by such men after their release back into communities. A systematically replicating study using the most recent clinical methods as well as the most rigorous, randomized controlled methods, is recommended. It would go a long way to inspire all, policy makers to publics, of the practical benefits of sex offender treatment programs in prisons, for both the offenders themselves and the communities they return to.