Treatment at La Macaza Clinic: A Qualitative Study of the Sexual Offenders' Perspective

Abstract

This exploratory study aimed at better understanding why pedophile sex offenders enter and remain in treatment and how they consider it to be helpful. Comparative analysis was applied to non-directive semi-structured interviews with 24 pedophile sex offenders from La Macaza Clinic at the La Macaza federal penitentiary in Quebec. Three major themes were explored: (1) the offenders' impressions about the voluntary basis of the treatment; (2) the nature of the motivation for treatment of the participants; and (3) the different ways in which therapy was or was not helpful. The results are discussed in reference to psychodynamic literature on therapy processes and sexual deviance pathology.

Sexual Offenders' Perceptions of Correctional Therapy: What Can We Learn?

“…This seems to be consistent with recent findings regarding treatment views of pedophiles (Drapeau, Korner, Brunet, & Granger, 2004). Specifically, the primary themes uncovered and apparently interrelated, were: differences in feelings of trustworthiness of offenders toward their therapists and correctional staff, differences in program motivational climate (punitive compared to caring/supportive), and differences in perceived openness of therapists and correctional staff.…”

“…Just as some physical education intended to increase physical activity may actually hinder such behavior over time, some punitive correctional programs may actually hinder a process that apparently seeks to correct behavior (see Drapeau, et al, 2004). Human relationship dynamics and motivational climate are central to effective learning and lasting behavioral change.…”

Experiences of engaging in psychotherapeutic interventions for sexual offending behaviours: A meta-synthesis

“…(Drapeau, Korner, Granger, & Brunet, 2005, p. 103) Participants argued that therapy would only be beneficial if an individual admitted he required help and was motivated to change (Colton, Roberts, & Vanstone, 2009;Drapeau et al, 2004;Garrett, Oliver, Wilcox, & Middleton, 2003;Wakeling et al, 2005). Nevertheless, many offenders acknowledged their engagement was due to such reasons as receiving shorter sentences or avoiding prison and being released earlier (Connor, Copes, & Tewksbury, 2011;Drapeau et al, 2004;Williams, 2004). For individuals who were engaging despite limited motivation, a sense of going through the motions was evident (Drapeau, Korner, Granger, & Brunet, 2005;Drapeau et al, 2004).…”

“…Nevertheless, many offenders acknowledged their engagement was due to such reasons as receiving shorter sentences or avoiding prison and being released earlier (Connor, Copes, & Tewksbury, 2011;Drapeau et al, 2004;Williams, 2004). For individuals who were engaging despite limited motivation, a sense of going through the motions was evident (Drapeau, Korner, Granger, & Brunet, 2005;Drapeau et al, 2004). Generally, engagement was encouraged by certain incentives, but these could either be due to extrinsic motivations based on the perceptions of others, or part of a strategy to be released earlier, or a desire to change oneself.…”

“…Some individuals admitted they were engaging in therapy for extrinsic reasons, for example, feeling pressured by family members (Collins, Brown, & Lennings, 2010) or repaying a debt to society (Drapeau et al, 2004). However, offenders acknowledged that intrinsic motivation was crucial:…”