The MDOC supervises offenders sentenced to a term of incarceration with the MDOC prison system and those felony offenders under parole and probation supervision. As of December 2024, the MDOC incarcerated 32,778 individuals within prison facilities. Approximately 7,900 offenders have a current or historical offense involving sexually abusive behaviors. In the community, the MDOC supervises approximately 53,002 additional offenders on parole or probation. Of that number, approximately 4,400 individuals have a history of engaging in sexually abusive behaviors on active probation and/or parole. This bid is for supplemental coverage of services for the eastern and central regions of Michigan. The MDOC has a long-standing commitment to providing a continuum of programs and services. Sexual Abuse Prevention treatment programs currently available reflect this management approach. Community-based sexual abuse prevention programs responding to this RFP will be expected to coordinate with Michigan Prisoner Reentry transitions teams and collaborative case management teams consisting of representatives from the local parole office and various service or treatment agencies in the community. The MDOC provides assessment and treatment services to those with a history of engaging in sexually abusive behaviors based on the Risk, Needs and Responsivity (R-N-R) framework. The prison-based Michigan Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (MSAPP)) treatment intensity and duration are determined by an assessment of the individual’s risk and needs, as well as their response to treatment and supervision interventions. The MSAPP Treatment program includes the use of motivational interviewing techniques, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Good Lives Model (GLM) and Self-Regulation Model (SRM). The MDOC supports the use of evidence-based models of treatment that are influenced by prosocial theory and positive psychology on which the Good Lives Model (GLM) is based. The developers of the model stress GLM is not a treatment model, but a theoretical framework to guide interventions with offenders (Willis, Gannon, Yates, Collie, Ward, 2011). Carich, et. al. have concluded that with the GLM the field is moving beyond basic CBT toward a Cognitive-Behavioral Dynamics therapy incorporating a holistic goal. Research conducted about sex offending and how best to intervene with those who commit sexual offenses has proliferated over the past several decades. In the past and unfortunately continuing in some venues even today, programs have used approaches that are intensively shame based and confrontational (Carich, Cameron, Young, & Parkins, 2013). Research supports differentiating treatment for sexual offenders based upon their level of risk and dynamic risk factors. The literature also indicates that recidivism risk reductions, and cost effectiveness are more likely to result from deliberate strategies to provide varied intensity, frequency and duration of interventions that are congruent with the offenders’ assessed level of risk and intervention needs. Gender is not necessarily a stable concept. Little is known about the relationship between gender identity and sexual offending, the impact of gender transition on future recidivism or how to best manage transgender individuals who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors. The American Psychological Association guidelines (2015) highlight the need to understand gender as a non-binary construct and allow for a range of gender identities, that gender identity and sexual orientation are distinct but interrelated and gender intersects with other cultural identities. It is important to recognize that stigma, prejudice, discrimination, and violence affect the well-being of gender diverse persons, and there are institutional barriers to receiving adequate care and protection. The Michigan Department of Corrections Sexual Abuse Prevention Services aims to engage in a collaborative practice for shared decision making for all individuals who are in our care, including those who are gender non-conforming. Proper assessment of risk is paramount in the management of all offenders. The management of individuals who are transgender must seek to protect both welfare and rights of the individual and the rights of others around them, including staff and peers. Presently, there are no risk instruments that are validated and developed specifically for use on individuals who are transgender and have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors. The current recommendation is to utilize risk assessment tools that are normed based on the individual’s natal sex and incorporate dynamic treatment targets that are inclusive of the individual’s unique needs (Sahota 2020). The Self-Regulation Model (SRM), which is based on self-determinism and assumes that individuals are capable of regulating behaviors. SRM identifies pathways of offending. The GLM has two major themes which are risk reduction and goods promotion and focuses on a positive therapeutic relationship with the treatment provider. The GLM integrates and builds on SRM; thus, a common descriptive term is GLM/SRM. In keeping with the MDOC commitment to utilizing practices that are evidence based, it is suggested there is ample evidence to support the integration of the GLM into current practice. Effective treatment programs adhere to the risk, need and responsivity (RNR) principles and focus on addressing thinking errors, deviant behavior, and the cognition supporting both. The program should be up to 12 months in duration with treatment dosages designed based on risk for recidivistic sexual offending behavior. The program will utilize strategies to decrease sexual offending behaviors and increase pro-social behavior. Treatment is most effective when it is tailored to the risks, needs, and offense dynamics of individual sex offenders. Treatment objectives for adult male offenders must be developed in collaboration with the offender and incorporate dynamic risk factors assessed via the Stable 2007. Residential treatment referrals will come from the Parole Board or there could be referrals for parolees/probationers who were in outpatient treatment, but it was determined that a higher intensity of services are needed. A residential treatment program for those who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviors must address criminogenic risk areas, sexual and general self-regulation related risk, intimacy deficits and work to develop a prosocial support network within the community. A large body of research has revealed staggering evidence of the pervasive and enduring nature of early trauma. Findings are clear and consistent; demonstrating that as the number of early adverse experiences increases, the risk for a wide range of health, mental health, and behavioral problems in adulthood also increases in a robust and cumulative fashion. Trauma-informed care aims to recognize the role of early adversity in the development of high risk and criminal behavior. Maladaptive coping and thinking often result from child maltreatment and family dysfunction experiences that distort one's view of self, others, and the world. By exploring and understanding addiction, violence, and criminal behavior through the lens of early trauma, clinicians and correctional supervisors can infuse trauma-informed practices into existing evidence-based cognitive behavioral interventions.
