This article critically reviews the evidence on sex offender treatment and subsequently provides new estimates on short-term recidivism among sexual offenders released from prison in New Jersey. The sample of male sex offenders is drawn from the Adult Diagnostic Treatment Center (ADTC), New Jersey’s only sex-offender-specific prison, and the general population of nine prisons within the state of New Jersey. The ADTC sample receives treatment while incarcerated (n = 495), whereas no treatment is provided to the offenders in the general population sample (n = 223). Overall, 33% of the total sample (N = 718) commits a new offense. Of the total sample, 14% commits a new sexual offense and 24% commits a new nonsexual offense. Significant differences exist between the ADTC and the general population samples with respect to nonsexual reoffending only. In the final analysis, treatment appears to matter in terms of a reduction in recidivism but not in conventionally expected ways.

Using a sample of 3,041 incarcerated men and women, this study examines the impact of being incarcerated for a sex offense and individuals’ in-prison experiences on their concerns about reentry into society. Bivariate analyses suggest that being incarcerated for a sex offense is related to greater concerns about housing and fewer concerns about recidivism compared with individuals incarcerated for nonsex offenses. A sex offense conviction is also associated with weaker social bonds, greater relational difficulties, and greater fear of victimization while incarcerated. Multiple regression models indicate that, after controlling for in-prison experiences, being incarcerated for a sex offense increases reentry concerns related to employment and housing, though may reduce them for recidivism. In-prison experiences mediate the relationship between being incarcerated for a sex offense and reentry concerns. Policy implications of these findings are discussed.