Evaluated social skills group work conducted at a prison with rapists, pedophiles, and incest offenders. Eight offenders (4 rapists and 4 pedophiles) and 7 controls were evaluated over 6 wks by self-report questionnaires, staff observation and ratings, and videotaped social encounters with an unknown female. Group aims were to reduce social anxiety, increase self-confidence in interpersonal interaction, and encourage the development of more appropriate social behaviors. There was a marked increase in the offenders' self-esteem, which was maintained at 6-mo follow-up. For offenders, the average anxiety score dropped markedly, whereas controls showed little change. Offenders' fear of negative evaluation showed a decrease after treatment, whereas this fear increased among control group members. In the offender group, rapists appeared to be more socially anxious than pedophiles but may have overcompensated for this with higher self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)