Sexual offenders who had been referred for a forensic evaluation were assessed in terms of their deviant sexual arousal by means of standard penile plethysmographic procedures. The sample was divided into Rapist and Nonrapist groups according to their sexual history and criminal charges. Penile circumference responses (PCR) and self-reported arousal to consenting sex, sexual assault, and physical assault were monitored. The assessments were repeated following subject instructions to suppress their arousal and following the ingestion of alcohol. The overall correlation between PCR and self-reported arousal was .65. An Alcohol-by-Offender Type interaction revealed that the lowering effect of alcohol on PCR occurred only among the Nonrapists. The suppression instruction increased Rapists' PCRs to Rape and Physical Assault presentations relative to consenting sexual narrations. When the data were examined in relation to intelligence, low IQ Rapists displayed greater responses to rape than high IQ Rapists. Under the influence of alcohol, low IQ Rapists displayed greater arousal regardless of the stimulus, while high IQ Rapists showed no change, and Nonrapists responded less than they did without alcohol. Comments concerning the accurate assessment of deviant sexual arousal and the identification of precursors to deviant sexual behaviour are made in view of the current findings.

MMPI scores of 57 native and 218 non-native Canadian Prairie psychiatric offenders were compared. In uncontrolled comparisons, considerable cross-cultural profile similarity was observed. Nevertheless, natives displayed significantly higher scores on L, F, and Hs (p < .05), and tended towards significance on Sc (p < .08). Natives scored significantly lower on Mf. Next, separate native and non-native multiple regressions were performed, using the 13 MMPI scales as criterion variables with age, time served, education level, WAIS full scale IQ, and Verbal Comprehension as the predictors. Average /P's of .26 (ns) and .17 (p < .001) were observed for natives and non-natives, respectively. WAIS full scale IQ and education level were the strongest predictors of native and non-native MMPIs, respectively. When controlled MMPI comparisons were made using IQ and education as covariates, the previous differences were erased. Profile similarity was still evident. With covariates, significantly lower native scores were found on Mf, Pa, and Si, while K was significantly higher. The lowered native profile was due primarily to the IQ covariate. It was concluded that the MMPI was valid for use with native offenders where consideration is given to the secondary effects of IQ and the limited influence of culture.The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is the most widely used psychological assessment tool in correctional jurisdictions (Gendreau, 1975;Gearing, 1979; National Institute of Corrections, 1985). Concerning the measure's validity, Gearing (1979) reviewed 71 studies of MMPI applications in forensics and concluded that the test provides a reasonable classification of psychopathology among offenders. Frequently, the MMPI is used with other information in selecting an inmate's prison placement, in making a treatment plan, in coming to a parole decision (Elion & Megargee, 1975), and in screening incomingThe views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Solicitor General of Canada or Correctional Service of Canada. The data were collected while the second author was at the Regional Psychiatric Centre (Prairies). Thanks to Tracy Pytlowany, Eric Smith, and Ingrid Draper for assisting with the data collection and to Rod Luciuk for computerizing records. Requests for reprints should be addressed to the second author at Rideau

Provincial and state correctional departments and related mental health agencies were contacted regarding sex offender treatment programmes offered within their jurisdictions. Descriptions of 22 U.S. and 12 Canadian programmes were received. Programmes were examined along 16 dimensions: year of implementation, participating agencies, target population, referral sources, assessments, capacity, staffing, treatment duration, treatment intensity, location, patient basis (in-or outpatient), community resources, therapeutic services, therapeutic orientation, evaluation, and follow-up. A wide range of services was noted among the sample of U.S. programmes. Programme variation was ascribed to differences in target population, the therapeutic orientation, and the availability of resources. In Canada, programmes tended to be behaviourally oriented and hospital-based, with motivation to change as the admittance criterion. A paucity of evaluation and follow-up data was observed for both countries.Efficient treatment services for sexual offenders has become a necessity for correctional facilities. Sexual offenders account for 8% to 12% of the federal prison population in Canada (Wormith, 1983) and an average of 10% across the United States, with some jurisdictions reporting rates as high as 21% (Contact, 1983). Media coverage of sexual offences and released sexual offenders has heightened public concern and demand for effective management policies and treatment programmes.At the same time, critics have expressed alarm about the lack of available services. As recently as 1978, Brecher complained, ... nothing in particular is being done about the vast majority of sentenced sex offenders. Those serving time in correctional institutions are lodged in the same cell blocks as those incarcerated for non-sex offenses, and are subjected to the same correctional routines. Those out on probation and parole are with few exceptions treated like other probationers and parolees. Little or no attention is paid to the particular factors which made these men sex offenders.The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the Solicitor General of Canada or the University of Ottawa. Thanks are extended to Robert Joseph, Statistics Canada, for initiating contact with the American agencies.Requests for reprints should be addressed to the second author at Research Division, Ministry of the Solicitor General of Canada,