A n Exploration of the Sex Offender Specialization and Violence Nexus

Kentucky 2009:

Abstract

Two commonly researched topics surrounding sexual offending are recidivism and specialization. The widely-accepted belief that sex offenders recidivate at a higher rate than other offenders, in conjunction with the misconception that sex offenders specialize in purely sexual crimes and general criminality, has compelled policymakers to enact conservative legislation.

This study assesses the accuracy of these perceptions through an analysis of the non-sex crimes of a sample of 229 currently incarcerated registered sex offenders in Kentucky. The focus of the current study is to explore the heterogeneity among sex offenders as a whole by assessing differences in criminal behavior and offender characteristics of sex offenders who are currently incarcerated for non-sex violent and non-sex nonviolent offenses.

Bivariate results suggest that offender age, race, victim age, registration violation, multiple victims, and sex offense severity all significantly differ between sex offenders as conditioned by offense violence. Multivariate results suggest that sex offenders with a child victim and registration violation were less likely to be violent offenders and that offenders with multiple victims were also more likely to be violent. ..Source.. by Megan Magers, University of Central Florida and Wesley G. Jennings, University of Louisville and Richard Tewksbury, University of Louisville and J. Mitchell Miller, University of Texas San Antonio

Perceptions of Sex Offender Registration: Collateral Consequences and Community Experiences

May 2006 NCJ 214013 :

Abstract:
Revealed in interviews, the centerpieces of the experiences of registered sex offenders were negative consequences for employment and relationships, and experiences of harassment, stigmatization, and perceived feelings of vulnerability. However, it is necessary to understand and put in perspective that the findings reported were based on the perceptions of registered sex offenders and the validity of individuals’ statuses creating these conditions cannot be definitely confirmed. Findings support and extend the findings of previously limited research by addressing collateral consequences for registered sex offenders. Through in-depth qualitative interviews of 22 registrants listed as residing in Jefferson County, KY, this research sought to gain insights to the extent and nature of collateral consequences as perceived by registered sex offenders. It explored the dimensions of if and how being labeled as a registered sex offender imposed additional and unanticipated penalties on offenders.

This study is available from: by Richard Tewksbury ; Matthew Lees

Collateral Consequences of Sex Offender Registration

2005:

Abstract:

Sex offender registrationwas widely implemented in the 1990s as a means of enhancingcommunity awareness of sex offenders to promote community safety. This study is one of the first examinations of the collateral consequences of sex offender registration from the perspective of the offender. Drawing on data from 121 registered sex offenders in Kentucky, this research shows that social stigmatization, loss of relationships, employment, and housing, and both verbal and physical assaults are experienced by a significant minority of registered sex offenders.

This paper is available from: by Richard Tewksbury, University of Louisville

eAdvocate note:

1) The sample (121 RSOs from the Kentucky registry) is the exact same sample used in Tewksbury's "Sex Offender Registries as a Tool for Public Safety: Views from Registered Offenders" as verified by Table-1 of both studies;

2) Reviewing this study was interesting but there were two charts which caught my eye, they follow:

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Sex Offender Registries as a Tool for Public Safety: Views from Registered Offenders

2006 Kentucky:

Abstract:
Sex offender registries are tools for the public and law enforcement to know about and monitor the identities, locations, and behaviors of convicted sex offenders in the community. The ability of these tools to effectively and efficiently contribute to public safety, however, is dependent on their containing accurate and up-to-date information. This research draws on data from a sample of registered sex offenders to assess the frequency and intensity of monitoring perceived by registrants and registrants’ self-reported likelihood of maintaining their listed information as accurate. Results suggest that monitoring is not very close or frequent, and a significant minority of registered sex offenders may not be willing to comply with registration requirements nor to voluntarily update their registry information.

For the remainder of this study: by Richard Tewksbury, University of Louisville

eAdvocate note:

1) The sample (121 RSOs from the Kentucky registry) is the exact same sample used in Tewksbury's "Collateral Consequences of Sex Offender Registration" as verified by Table-1 of both studies;

2) Reviewing this study was interesting but there was one chart which caught my eye, it follows:

What the percentages show, as to public recognition is, the number of times these registrants and families (if they are with them at the time) have been put at risk or in harms way. While the registry intent may be to protect the public from registrants, lawmakers have closed their eyes to protecting registrants from the public. Vigilantism is real and to those who think it does not happen you are just closing a blind eye to the issue. See also those registrants and folks accused of offenses, who have been murdered because of their past; some because of the registry itself. Again, lawmakers have close their eyes to these issues.

Now, as to contact with law enforcement, think about the costs to the public, also putting the registrant and any family members in a negative light in the community because of seeing police at their homes this many times. Children of offenders will never get over this stigma of seeing police this often in their lives; a scary scene to a child.