David Middleton’s scientific contributions

This paper describes one of the first systematic focused attempts to elicit the views of sexual offenders about the treatment that they have received. The paucity of previous research in this area is suggested to be the result of negative societal attitudes towards sexual offenders, as exemplified by recent tabloid newspaper coverage of this population. It is suggested that these attitudes may have a negative impact upon the attitudes of clinicians and researchers, and thus upon the treatment offered to this client group. Therefore, it is argued that seeking the views of the clients is essential in order to ensure that treatment is relevant and reflexive, and promotes relapse prevention. A questionnaire was distributed to participants who had completed treatment groups run by the Psychology Service at a Regional Secure Unit and at a Probation Service Sexual Offender Unit. The questionnaire aimed to elicit their views of the group experience, including issues to do with programme structure and content, group process, and therapeutic style of group facilitators. The results (including a pilot study) indicated that, on the whole, participants' experiences of the group were positive, for example aspects of the group process, understanding and preventing reoffending. Some suggestions for the modification and development of future sexual offender treatment are outlined, based on the feedback from subjects, for example, consideration of alternative treatment modalities, enhancing the content of group sessions, improving the organization of groups and modifying the training of groups leaders.

Encouraging disclosure of information is an essential task of probation intervention with sex offenders. Here, Daniel Wilcox, Dan Sosnowski and David Middleton argue that the polygraph, or lie detector, can help to achieve this aim, and play an important role in assessing risk, treating and managing sex offenders on probation or licence. They examine the use of the polygraph in the USA, and give some early reflections on the first UK polygraph trial, held in the West Midlands Probation Service area. The results suggest that workers were able to obtain more detailed information about index offences, further diclosures of past sexual offending, and more information about short-term risk and non-compliance with conditions of probation orders.