Research and analysis

The evaluation of the mandatory polygraph pilot

This report presents the findings of research commissioned to examine the impact of mandatory polygraph testing for adult sexual offenders.

• From: Ministry of Justice
• Published: 19 July 2012

Documents

The evaluation of the mandatory polygraph pilot

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Details

This report presents the findings of research commissioned to examine the impact of mandatory polygraph testing for adult sexual offenders.

The research sample of offenders were released on probation licence, having served a prison sentence of 12 months or more for a sexual offence. The evaluation compared polygraph sample offenders with a matched control group, and combined quantitative and qualitative methods alongside a preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis.

The findings from the research indicated that mandatory polygraph testing can be an effective tool in the management of adult sexual offenders and may help to elicit more clinically significant disclosures.

Published 19 July 2012