Translating theoretical perspectives to practice: Sex Offender Reentry Framework

• In Event: Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA): Translating Restorative Justice Principles to the Reentry of Sex Offenders

Abstract

Of the 1.5 million incarcerated individuals in state and federal prisons, 150,000 are convicted of sex offenses. An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 sex offenders are released from prisons annually to return to their communities. Research finds that 43 percent of released sex offenders are re-arrested for a non-sex crime, with 5 percent re-arrested for a sex offense (Langan et al., 2003). The challenges associated with reentry into the community are intensified when coupled with a sexual offense conviction and registry and notification laws. Consequently, the field struggles with developing effective strategies that respond to the myriad needs of sex offenders. The present work explores the practical and policy implications of a comprehensive sex offender reentry framework – integration of the general and specialized risk and needs of the offender population throughout the criminal justice decision points – and Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA), a collaborative reentry model based on the tenets of restorative justice.

Authors

• Beth Skinner, Council of State Governments Justice Center

• Shenique S. Thomas, Council of State Governments Justice Center

• Bonnie Sultan, Council of State Governments Justice Center

• Lahiz Tavarez, Council of State Governments Justice Center