Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Sciences in Psychology.

The purpose of this research was to investigate how the parole of sexual offenders in the Waikato region is managed under the relapse prevention model. A process evaluation was carried out, which involved interviews with 10 probation officers and 10 sexual offenders, who had been through either the Kia Marama or Te Piriti treatment programmes. The results show that in general, both sets of participants were satisfied with the parole process. Probation officers showed some compliance to the relapse prevention model, although there were some grounds for concern here. The author highlights the need for regular training of probation officers in the supervision of sexual offenders under the relapse prevention model.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT

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