Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2009-12
Understanding the Impact of Sex Offender Registration: An Examination of Changes in Offense Type and the Predictors of Recidivism among Registered Sex Offenders
This study uses a random sample (N = 244) of registered sex offenders taken in a large southwestern city. Within a post-registration period that averaged approximately 5.5 years, 46.72% of the sample was rearrested for any crime. During the same post-registration period, 20.08% of the sample had an arrest charge for a sex offense. The relative frequency of charges for sexual assault and child sex crimes was lower at post-registration, while the relative frequency of charges for other sex crimes was slightly higher. Prior arrest and sex offender levels were the most consistent predictors of post-registration recidivism.
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