NCJ Number
235853
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 55 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2011 Pages: 676-692
Date Published
August 2011
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the risk status of sex offenders for the purpose of registration and notification.
Abstract
This study examined whether evaluators use actuarial risk scores and risk information to make determinations about sex offender risk status for the purpose of enhanced registration and notification. Although it was expected that sexual offenders selected for enhanced registration and notification would have higher scores on actuarial risk assessment tools than those who were not selected, few differences were found between groups with regard to risk factors associated with sexual offense recidivism. Given that actuarial tools enhance the prediction of sexual recidivism, this study may shed light on problems in the implementation of sex offender policy measures. Results are discussed as they pertain to the assessment and application of registration and community notification statutes for sexual offenders. (Published Abstract)