RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WHO SEXUALLY OFFEND

The following outlines opportunities, resources, and the therapeutic treatment process for persons who sexually offend. On the right, you will find links to additional resources. 

Persons who sexually offend may be required to participate in outpatient treatment programs as a condition of probation or parole. Here is what to expect from an outpatient program.

Outpatient treatment participants may be required to complete a psychosexual evaluation (PSE). Prior to beginning treatment, this evaluation will be conducted by a licensed psychologist who is a provider or evaluator approved by Utah Department of Corrections. This evaluation will include sex offense specific risk assessment tools and measures of personality and intelligence. A sexual interest measure will be completed as part of the PSE to establish a baseline for future treatment and to establish a thorough assessment of risk to reoffend. You will be required to complete a full-disclosure sexual history specific polygraph examination to establish a baseline for future treatment. This examination should occur within 180 days from the beginning of treatment.

Assessment results, including an analysis of suitability for treatment and treatment plan, will be provided in a written report to your Adult Probation and Parole (AP&P) agent.

Outpatient treatment typically includes at least one individual 50-minute counseling session per week and one group therapy session lasting at least 80 minutes per week.

Additional polygraph tests may be administered during the course of your treatment to check in with your compliance regarding any court orders, conditions of probation or parole, and treatment rules and regulations. Additional polygraph examinations may also be administered when deemed appropriate by the treatment provider and AP&P. These are meant to be informational to help your treatment provider and/or AP&P agent support your success while on probation or parole. Polygraphs are not meant to serve as a means to catch you in a lie and then charge and convict you of technical violations or new charges. However, consequences can be assigned depending on the severity of the behaviors in question. 

You also will be expected to participate in at least 50 hours of psychoeducational classes – each class is approximately 10 hours. Possible classes would include victim empathy, relapse prevention, assault cycle, cognitive restructuring/thinking errors, relationship skills, financial literacy and healthy human sexuality. Previously completed classes may be accepted to meet this criterion. In addition, the treatment program may require an individual to repeat some or all of these classes if clinically indicated.

A compliance polygraph examination will be completed by all individuals prior to the completion of treatment to determine compliance with treatment program rules, court orders, and to ensure there have been no violations of probation rules and regulations.  

Once you have completed outpatient treatment, you will enter Continued Care. Your treatment provider will provide a minimum of one quarterly progress report to your AP&P agent for the entirety of your treatment, including Continued Care.

For individuals who did not successfully transition/complete a sex offense specific program while incarcerated, outpatient treatment will require at least 12 months weekly individual and group treatment. Treatment program duration may be longer than 12 months depending on the risk level and needs of the client. Upon the completion of outpatient therapy requirements, all clients will be required to complete Continued Care. For clients transitioning directly from outpatient treatment to Continued Care, it is expected the client remains in Continued Care for at least six months depending on clinical need and risk level of the client. During the time the client is in Continued Care, treatment frequency, type, and duration may be adjusted based on risk, need, and clinical discretion. This should be documented and communicated to the AP&P agent as well to maintain transparency about the expectations for the client.

Clients who have successfully transitioned/completed a sex offense specific program in the prison and/or a CCC will complete Continued Care in the community. In this case, Continued Care can last approximately twelve months, with frequency, type, and duration of individual and group therapy based on risk, need, and clinical discretion. If the client did not complete a sexual history polygraph while completing their treatment in a facility, they will be required to complete a sexual history polygraph during their time in Continued Care. A maintenance polygraph will be completed at the end of Continued Care for all outpatient clients.

If you are recommended to receive intensive outpatient treatment services, you will be required to participate in an additional sex offense specific group session every week (2 group sessions per week) and other services as clinically indicated.

Copy Revised 02/18/2022