A Safer Future?

How can we work with people convicted of sexual offences, in prison and in the community, to help them address their offending behaviour? How can we help them deal with stigma, assist their reintegration into society and prevent their reoffending?

People convicted of sexual offences are one of the fastest-growing groups in the prison population. The average custodial sentence length for these offences is increasing at a faster rate than other offences. Managing this group in prisons presents particular challenges, including dealing with the needs of prisoners who are elderly, issues of shame and denial, the provision of effective treatment programmes, and helping them to prepare for life in the community, including licence restrictions and post-release supervision.