Poster #167 - Patterns of Crime Desistance: A Comparative Study of Sex Offenders and Non-Sex Offenders

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

Desistance, the process by which individuals cease engaging in criminal behavior, remains a central topic in criminology. While general offender desistance has been extensively studied, research on sex offender desistance is limited. This study aims to compare desistance patterns between sex offenders and non-sex offenders, focusing on parole violations, subsequent offenses, the age at which desistance occurs, and the age of first offense. Using a longitudinal cohort design, this research will analyze Department of Justice administrative datasets and FOIA-requested data spanning 10 to 20 years. Survival analysis and regression models will identify factors influencing desistance rates. We hypothesize that sex offenders exhibit slower desistance rates and a higher frequency of parole violations than non-sex offenders. Additionally, this study will explore the hypothesis that the internet facilitates prolonged offending among online sex offenders, potentially altering traditional desistance trajectories. By examining these patterns, this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of criminal persistence among sex offenders, providing valuable insights into offense progression and long-term behavioral trends. The findings will help refine criminological theory and enhance knowledge about factors that sustain or inhibit desistance among different offender types.

Author

• Melissa Guinn, Middle Tennessee State University