Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual Abusers
The Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual Abusers (VTPSA) is charged with teaching offenders make permanent changes in behavior relating to illegal sexual behavior. Recidivism has been about 5%. However, recidivism varies by offense. One critic has stated that the numbers in Vermont are too small and therefore not representative. Programs. There are three prison-based programs within a framework of 13 community-based sex offender treatment programs. Programs vary in focus, length, and the number of hours of treatment delivered per week. The VTPSA places sex offenders in the programs using two measurements. The  four programs are: Aftercare Community Programs. (Level A or B) This program provides treatment to sex offenders sentenced to probation as well as to offenders returning to the community from prison on supervised release. This program is made up of a statewide network of 13 programs geographically dispersed throughout Vermont. The program delivers one 90 to 120 minute group session per week for approximately 24 months followed by monthly aftercare meetings for 12 months. The program is staffed by mostly masters level mental health professionals. A polygrapher is contracted part-time to conduct approximately 165 polygraph exams a year on  sex offenders referred to him by the Vermont Department of Corrections. Criticism. Michael Jacques completed the Vermont Treatment Program for Sexual Abusers in 2006. After he was released from prison, he sexually assaulted and killed his niece Brooke Bennett. He was arrested in the Brooke Bennett case on June 29, 2008. Jacques had been hailed as a "success story" by probationers. The program has been questioned for this reason.