An Analysis of Sex Offenders Released to the Community, 2001-2010

• In Event: Advances in Sex Offender Policy Research: Re-entry and Reintegration I

Abstract

Despite considerable legislative focus on the sentencing and community management of sex offenders in the United States, there has been limited national analysis of sex offenders released from prisons back into the community. Using data from the National Corrections Reporting Program (NCRP), this study presents a systematic multivariate assessment of the characteristics and release conditions of approximately 130,000 sex offenders and approximately 320,000 non-sexual violent offenders released to the community between 2001 and 2010. Key variables include those related to sentencing (e.g. minimum/maximum sentences, time served); release conditions (e.g. parole status, community supervision); offense history (both sexual and non-sexual offenses); and demographics (age, gender, race/ethnicity). Data will be presented on both a cross-sectional and longitudinal basis, offering an in-depth assessment of how the profile of sex offender population characteristics has changed over time and across states. Implications for sex offender sentencing and community management policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Scott Walfield, University of Massachusetts, Lowell

• Andrew Harris, University of Massachusetts, Lowell