NCJ Number
169218
Date Published
1995
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This report examines issues pertinent to the proposed elimination of mandatory sentencing provisions of Utah's Child Kidnaping and Sexual Abuse Act of 1983.
Abstract
Some have suggested that the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences would decrease the reporting of sex offenses against children. Although there is no way to measure this impact, the research staff's informed opinion is that the repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing would not have a major impact on reporting, given the current emphasis on punishment and public protection. Another issue being debated is how the repeal of mandatory minimum sentences would affect the rate of sex offending. Again, there is no way to forecast this, but the researchers are doubtful that repeal of mandatory minimum sentences would increase the incidence of abuse, since the law has encouraged a greater sensitivity to the problem as well as a greater likelihood of reporting. Other issues examined in this report are the relationship between victims and sex offenders, the number of victimizations committed by sex offenders before they are caught, the sentencing of sex offenders prior to the law's passage, what is known about sex offender characteristics and modus operandi, and whether there are more plea agreements when offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences. Other issues addressed are what is happening to Utah corrections as a result of sex offenders, whether it makes sense to attempt to classify sex offenders, the effectiveness of sex offender treatment in reducing recidivism, and the frequency of sex offender recidivism. 19 figures, 19 tables, and 18 references