Treatments for offenders: Biological treatment Flashcards
What are 2 types of biological treatments for crime?
- Castration
- Hormone therapy
What are androgens?
Male sex hormones - testosterone is an androgen
Hormone therapy is mainly for who?
Sex offenders
How are anti- androgens given?
Injection
What do anti-androgens do?
They try to counteract the effect of androgens. Some lower the production of androgens while others block the body’s ability to make use of androgens produced. So lowers testosterone which leads to a decrease of deviant and non deviant sexual urges
What are some types of anti-androgens?
- MPA
- CPA
What does MPA do and what are some side effects?
It is a female hormone, decreasing the functioning of testosterone
Reduces sexual drive, deviant sexual fantasies and possibly aggression
Side effects include weight gain, breast enlargement and decreased sperm production
What does CPA do and what are some side effects?
Reduces sexual drive and deviant fantasies quickly
Side effects inlcude liver dysfunction and adrenal suppression
How did Mayer et al support hormon therapy?
Looked at 40 men treated with MPA most of them paedophiles, They were treated for between 6 months and 12 years. Control group (21 ppts) who refused the treatment and just had psychotherapy. Of those on MPA, 18% reoffended and 35% reoffended after trreatment stopped. The figures were compared with 55% of the control group who reoffended. Shows to be effective
What was the aim of Maletzky?
The aims of the study were to evaluate the offenders who had been assessed for appropriateness of MPA on or before release. The study followed up the people who had been judged and the ones who inluding those who did not take up the programme even if it was judged appropriate.
The aim was to see the outcomes of being on MPA compared to not being on the treatment
Who were the ppts in Maletzky?
134 suitable for MPA
141 not suitable/ no treatment
How was Maletsky’s study a retrospective?
Looked back on the history on 275 inmates after their release and looks at the recidivism rate and then compared those on MPA with those not on the treatment
What did the questionnaires measure in Maletsky study?
On new offences, re-arrest and employment
What were the results of Maletsky’s result?
Those who received MPA committed fewer new offences and no new sexual offences compared with the other group.
What is the conlcusion for Maletsky study?
Those receiving MPA were less likely to reoffend than those not recieving it. It did reduce sexual drive as no new sexual offences were committed
