Sex Offender Civil Commitment Programs: Current Practices, Characteristics, and Resident Demographics

Abstract

A review of surveys and available information relating to sex offender civil commitment programs reveals important information about the characteristics of those programs and the demographics of those persons detained or civilly committed within. Although most of these programs provide a number of clinical services that are consistent with recommended standards, whether or not other aspects of these treatment programs meet accepted standards has not been widely researched, and standards of treatment for several components of sex offender civil commitment treatment are yet to be elucidated and established by professionals in this field.