Analyzing the Impact of a Statewide Residence Restriction Law on South Carolina Sex Offenders

• NCJ Number: 226363
• Journal: Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 21-43
• Author(s): J. C. Barnes; Tony Dukes; Richard Tewksbury; Timothy M. De Troye
• Date Published: March 2009
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using spatial analysis, four of the six South Carolina counties with the highest number of registered sex offenders were examined to determine the effects of two proposed statewide residence restriction laws, and implications are drawn for offender access to housing and treatment opportunities.

Abstract

Either of the two pieces of legislation would prohibit registered sex offenders from living in close proximity to schools, day-care centers, child recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, bus stops, and other areas where children congregate. The two proposals mainly differ in the size of their radius for the restricted area, with one prohibiting sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a restricted zone and the other prohibiting them from living within 1 mile of restricted zones. Based on spatial analysis, the current study found several significant differences in the impacts of the two proposals. Although nearly 20 percent of registered sex offenders will be forced to relocate under a 1,000-foot policy, 80.5 percent would be required to relocate under the 1-mile policy. Regarding the availability of eligible housing for registered sex offenders under the 1,000-foot policy, slightly more than half of all currently unoccupied housing units qualify as potential residences; however, under the 1-mile policy, less than 20 percent of unoccupied housing would qualify for sex offender residency. Under either of these proposals, but especially the 1-mile-radius requirement, registered sex offenders would tend to become concentrated in permissible housing areas, making such areas undesirable, particularly for families with children. This, in turn lowers the value of the housing and the quality of life in these neighborhoods. Other likely impacts include adverse environments for sex offender rehabilitation, an increase in the likelihood that sex offenders will abscond from supervision, and the increased costs of sex-offender supervision. 5 tables, 5 figures, 6 notes, 47 references, and appendix