NCJ Number
232041
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 27 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2010 Pages: 667-691
Date Published
October 2010
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This research measures group differences in recidivism before and after implementation of Megan's Law.
Abstract
The pre-post study consists of a total of 550 male sex offenders released during the years 1990 and 2000, of which 250 offenders were released during 1990 and 1994 (i.e., the pre-Megan's Law group) and 300 offenders were released between 1995 and 2000 (i.e., the post-Megan's Law group). Offenders were released from a general population setting and a sex offender specific treatment facility. The main variables of concern include: (1) recidivism levels, (2) days to first re-arrest, and (3) level of harm (i.e., number of sex offenses, violent offenses, and number of child victims). Statistical findings from chi-square and survival analysis testing indicate significant group differences on levels of general recidivism; however, no significant differences were identified on measures of sex offense recidivism. Implications of these findings on sex offender specific policies are discussed. Tables, figures, and references (Published Abstract)
Date Published: October 1, 2010