Programs were initially developed at the local
level (both in the community and in
institutions) in response to identified local or
regional needs. Until 1996, contracted agencies
and individuals delivered all programs. After
1996, the use of risk/needs assessment led to
staff delivery of treatment readiness programs
focused on offenders’ criminogenic needs.

Sex offenders

The Corrections Branch and Forensic
Psychiatric Services Commission worked
together to create programs for sex offenders.
Treatment programs delivered through
Forensic Psychiatric Services were introduced
to cotrectional centres at Stave Lake,
Kamloops, Ford Mountain and Nanaimo.

In the community, sex offender treatment
programs were developed in conjunction with
specialized training for probation officers.
Programs for young sex offenders were also
introduced.”

By 1992, approximately 25 adult and youth
group treatment programs for sex offenders
operated out of community offices and
institutions within the province. Despite this
growth in programs, the number of sex
offenders far surpassed available program spaces.

Throughout the 1990s, additional resources for
specialized sex offender programming were
obtained for delivery in the community and
institutions. Although treatment took many
forms, relapse prevention was the focus of
most programming.

Mentally disordered offenders

Services for mentally disordered offenders
(MDOs) tequired improved co-ordination
across the constellation of service providers
involved with these multiple-need clients.
Within institutions, treatment services were
largely individualized and delivered by sessional
psychologists or psychiatrists. Within the
community, forensic liaison workers,
community mental health teams and other
psychological services provided support and
services to MDOs,

Spousal assault

Programs for spousal assault offenders grew
from the Task Porce on Family Violence
(1992). The task force stressed the need for
enhanced community-based services for victims
of family and sexual violence, and treatment
programs for assaultive men. Through funding
provided by the Ministry of Women’s Equality,
community agencies and individuals were
contracted to deliver spousal assault programs
in local communities. Local probation officers
were often instrumental in establishing
programs in their communities.

Programs for assaultive men rapidly increased
between 1990 and 1995—from four to 44
community-based programs.”' By 1995, funding
for programs came from the Corrections
Branch ($1.7 million for community programs)
and Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission
($250,000 to each of six community agencies
for institutional programs). Cognitive
behavioural programming was the basis for
most of these programs.

50 Refer to page regarding youth sex offender programs.

51 C. Coulis and T. Trytten, Assaultiive Men’s Treatment Programs Review Project. B.C. Ministry of Attorney General,

Corrections Branch, 1995,

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Corrections in British Columbia