Sexual offenders. Punishment and possible “rehabilitation”

Abstract

Objectives On the one hand, the socio-psychopathological dynamics of sexual offences are still indeterminate, on the other these aggressive actions have an irrefutable target and they are realized by the possession and domination of the reified victim. In prison sex offenders, “the outcasts among the outcasts”, are isolated for their own safety and they are almost always excluded from any rehabilitative treatment. This study has a twofold aim: firstly, to systematically describe all the therapeutic experiences already carried out in Italian prisons in order to obtain data on methods, good practices and weaknesses. Secondly, it foresees the implementation of therapeutic programmes in two prisons situated in different Italian regions, both carried out according to common procedures and by specifically trained operators who participate on a voluntary basis. Materials and methods In addition to the collection of data regarding existing treatment, we foresee the development of an executive programme involving sex offenders both individually, with objective, relational, and subjective diagnoses, and in a group, for a revised interpretation of their experiences on the basis of the resources already present and worked through by prisoners themselves. Results The programme aims to promote a personal path towards assuming one's responsibilities and critically reexamining one's experiences. Conclusions The principle, established by the article 27 of the Italian Constitution, that every sentence must involve rehabilitation must be made possible by developing specific programmes in accordance with both special prevention and social defence measures.