Research in the field is relatively new. Polygraph counseling may be a way to tackle these deranged youth before they grow up, said Baranowski, who has 24 years of experience in law enforcement. Once released from prison, most offenders go right back to their old habits, he said. There is a 90 percent ''re-offending'' rate for child molesters who have been released from prison, he said. But if the offenders are treated, the recidivism rate is only 14.6 percent.
Treatment begins with juvenile sex offenders answering written questions.
Baranowski has several binders full of questions about public exposure, masturbation habits and deviant sex practices. He discusses the written answers with the offender. This helps him formulate the questions that will be on the polygraph examination. Probing into the under-age molester's mind divulges trends, techniques and disturbing events in their past. Discovery of these patterns will help the youth admit their problem, he said.