SRSTC: Treatment Programs

Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center (SRSTC) serves:

  • Men who have a history of sexual violence and mental health needs committed under Wis. Stat. ch. 980
  • Men who have been found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect committed under Wis. Stat. § 971.17.
  • Men involved with the criminal justice system in need of treatment to competency services committed under Wis. Stat. § 971.14.

Services for Wis. Stat. ch. 980 patients

SRSTC is considered a national center of excellence in the evaluation and treatment of people who have a history of sexual violence and mental health needs. 

Staff believe that individuals can make positive changes in their lives and behavior, including the elimination of sexually violent acts. Staff use open and assertive communication when working patients. Services are provided in a trauma-sensitive environment. Knowledge, based on research, guides all activities.

Risk, need, responsivity

Research shows that treatment services for sex offenders are more effective when the principles of risk, need, and responsivity are carefully implemented

Three phases of treatment

The population at SRSTC is quite diverse, varying greatly in the degree to which psychopathic traits are present and in level of cognitive functioning. This diversity can make it challenging to deliver effective treatment services. Staff seeks to respond to these challenges in several ways.

  • Treatment services always begin with a very comprehensive assessment.
  • Treatment services are divided into four tracks, according to degree of cognitive functioning and level of psychopathic traits.
  • Treatment services are further individualized based on the patient's profile.

Each treatment track at SRSTC has three phases. Patients advance to the next phase if and when they demonstrate satisfactory progress in the earlier phase.

Three treatment tracks

The treatment program at SRSTC has three primary treatment tracks.

Services for Wis. Stat. § 971.14 and Wis. Stat. § 971.17 patients

Information on services for people involved with the criminal justice system in need of treatment to competency services (Wis. Stat. § 971.14) and people found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect (Wis. Stat. § 971.17) will be shared here soon. 

Last revised April 3, 2024