A Life Course Analysis of the Criminal Career Patterns of Sexual Offenders Released Over 40 Years

• In Event: Advances in Sexual Offense Policy Research: Sex Offending over the Life Course

Abstract

The present study examines the criminal career patterns of a group of 550 sexual offenders released from various state run facilities in New Jersey between the years of 1951 and 1994. Offender criminal histories and clinical notes will be reviewed to determine whether sex offenders had a variety of offense types and victims across the life course, whether particular types of offenders maintained consistency in offending, whether escalation or desistance occurred across the life course and whether it could be determined that particular offenses were ‘gateway’ crimes to increased violence and severity. The results and policy implications of the research will be discussed.

Authors

• Kristen Zgoba, New Jersey Department of Corrections

• Laura Salerno, New Jersey Department of Corrections