THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501120022
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
You report that Ron Angelone, the Virginia Department of Corrections director, is recommending that the proposed budget for corrections eliminate treatment for sex offenders because: ``You cannot change someone's sexual orientation. What they do to get their thrill will continue throughout their whole life. I know of no chemical therapy, I know of no counseling that will change that.''
I disagree. As a mental-health-treatment provider, I have seen the devastation that sexual assault and child-molestation causes. However, working with the victim is treating only half the problem. Sexual offenders need punishment and evaluation, treatment and close supervision if they will be prevented from offending again. This process should start when the offender is incarcerated and continue when he or she returns to the community.
Incarceration alone does not work. Even with lengthy prison sentences and no parole, whether one wishes to consider it or not, sex offenders return to the community. National Institute of Corrections data indicate that the deterrent effect of incarceration is about two years for sex offenders. Without treatment, the probability of repeat offenses increases dramatically.
While I cannot cite the costs of investigation, prosecution or incarceration in Virginia, Dr. William Pithers of the Vermont Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Sexual Abuse did an analysis for his state. The cost for a single offender for a five-year period was between $160,000 to $200,000. This included the cost of two years of treatment for the victim, but not the offender. If these costs are comparable in Virginia, and if only six of the 2,175 offenders are assisted in not offending, the entire annual cost of $970,000 of running the treatment programs is met.
I appreciate the fiscal responsibility that Governor Allen brings with his administration. However, the area of treatment for sex offenders is one area in which we should be spending more, not less.
J. J. SCISLOWICZ
Licensed professional counselor
Franklin, Dec. 30, 1994 by CNB