Paroled Sex Offenders in Belgium. An Assessment of the Impact of Dynamic Variables on (the Failure of) Re-entry

• In Event: Criminal Career and Life-course Perspectives on Sex Crime

Abstract

Sex offenders are commonly identified as a slightly different group, apart from other offenders. In this paper, we present evidence about dynamic variables (e.g. affective relationships, housing, work, financial situation) that are believed to be of crucial importance in the re-entry of non-sex offenders. In Belgium, the parole decision-maker also sees these as relevant for sex offenders. Based on an analysis of parole officer reports during the entire parole period for all paroled sex offenders in Belgium in the period 2003-2005 (n=221), an assessment is provided using fixed effects methods of the impact of changes in these dynamic variables from the moment of parole up to re-incarceration or up to the successful finalization of parole. The duration of parole is dependent on the sentence length and stretches out from a minimum of 2 years up to a maximum of 10 years, with several parole reports per year.
The results of the paper provide evidence about the impact of dynamic variables in sex offender re-entry and thus answer whether the re-entry of sex offenders requires a differential approach from non-sex offenders.

Authors

• Dennis Delannoy, University of Mons

• Ilena Strzoda, University of Mons

• Luc Robert, NICC (National Institute of Forensic Sciences and Criminology)

• Arjan Blokland, NSCR / Leiden University

• Magali Deblock, NICC

• Thierry Pham, University of Mons