A Life Course Analysis of the Criminal Behavior of 500 Sexual Offenders: Phase III

• In Event: Advances in Sex Offense Policy Research: Desistance and Social Supports

Abstract

Sex offending has only recently been explored within a life course perspective; however, much of this research is limited to small spans of time throughout a lifetime and typically does not explore criminality later in life. The present study investigates the trajectories of 500 criminal careers generally, and sexual offending specifically, throughout the life course using a prolonged period of study of approximately 40 years. This presentation will report the findings of Phase III of data collection, specifically in regards to: 1) whether sexual offenders commit a variety of criminal offenses; 2) whether a “gateway” crime is identified, and 3) whether factors that have been identified as previous correlates of recidivism are relevant over a 40-year analysis. The policy implications of the research findings will also be discussed.

Authors

• Kristen M. Zgoba, New Jersey Department of Corrections

• Laura M. Salerno, New Jersey Department of Corrections