The Treatment Needs of Sexual Offenders in Prisons

Sexual crimes have a disturbing effect on society, because in addition to their seriousness, they often leave lasting physical, psychological and emotional consequences on the victims. They also cause strong social condemnation because they directly attack basic human values, such as human freedom, dignity and security. In addition to the numerous consequences felt by the victim itself, sexual offenses also cause anxiety, fear and insecurity among the public, under whose pressure strict punishment of sex offenders is demanded. In addition to the punishment itself, little attention is paid to the treatment and needs of criminals in the institutions where they serve the sanction. The goal of this paper is to point out certain solutions and treatment programs that have given positive results in penitentiary institutions around the world, as well as the need for specialization of treatment that is lacking in our penal institutions. Through a review of the existing domestic and foreign scientific literature, using quantitative and qualitative content analysis, comparative analysis and comparative and historical methods, we would like to point out the research results that in this area have influenced the reduction of recidivism in sexual offenses. The results of the research point to the need for specialization in the treatment of sex offenders in penal institutions, which would primarily reduce the rate of recidivism, but also improve resocialization after leaving the institution.