Sexual offender’s experiences of polygraph testing: a thematic study in three probation trusts

Post-conviction polygraph testing of sexual offenders is controversial and the use of the polygraph as a means of supporting supervision of sexual offenders has only recently been explored. This study examined qualitatively, offender managers’ and sexual offenders’ views on the mandatory use of the polygraph in community-based supervision. Fifteen polygraphed offenders and their ten offender managers (polygraph group), and ten non-polygraphed offenders and their ten offender managers (comparison group) were asked about their experiences and perceptions of mandatory polygraph use. Using thematic analysis, results provided four main themes: (1) truth detection, (2) perceptions of behavior change, (3) perceptions of polygraph as part of supervision and, (4) national implementation of polygraph testing. Results suggest several benefits to mandatory polygraph testing as a support for supervision, including: offenders making more high-risk disclosur