PhD studies by Corrections staff continue to make Special Treatment Unit Kia Marama one of the world’s leading treatment providers for men who have offended sexually against children.
As part of its commitment to reduce re-offending, Christchurch-based Kia Marama regularly supports staff members undertaking doctorate-level research. The research findings are then incorporated into new programmes for offenders.
In August, Canterbury PhD student and training psychologist Gwenda Willis won a top award for her research. Gwenda’s thesis focused on how community integration planning can help prevent sex offenders from re-offending after release from prison.
“Gwenda’s study is an important contribution to our growing body of knowledge,” says Principal Psychologist Bronwyn Rutherford. “Ultimately, her findings will help with developing release planning for offenders.”
Earlier this year, Corrections Psychologist Sarah Beggs completed her PhD alongside clinical training at Kia Marama. Her study proved that offenders who showed marked improvements during treatment at Kia Marama were significantly less likely to re-offend.
Psychological services Asst Director David Wales started his PhD while working at Kia Marama in the mid-1990s. His research looked at the personality profiles of child sex offenders. David says his research can help therapy staff tailor a ‘standardised programme’ to suit very different individuals.
Peter Johnston, who completed his PhD while working at Kia Marama in the mid-1990s, says the research supported by the Department isn’t just kept localised; it’s shared with psychologists throughout New Zealand, and even internationally. “My research was published and well-received overseas. It contributed to the international body of knowledge on sex offender treatment,” he says.
Bronwyn Rutherford stresses the importance of promoting academic research within Kia Marama. “It’s important that we continue to evaluate and explore every possible avenue that could help us develop our treatment and make it even more effective,” she says.
The treatment delivered at Kia Marama is showing some of the best results in the world in terms of reducing the likelihood of re-offending. Research shows that offenders who undergo treatment have only a five per cent likelihood of re-offending, compared with 22 per cent of non-treated offenders.
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ISSN 1178-8453