Life Beyond the List: Examining the Implications and Effectiveness of Removing Individuals from the Sexual Offense Registry

• In Event: Crime, Science and Politics WG Panel 4: Contestation and Technology in Criminal Justice Policy

Abstract

This study aims to examine whether individuals removed from the public sexual offense registry in the United States have similar re-offense patterns to individuals who remain on the registry. This will be the first study to examine the removal of individuals from registries. We will use a sample of three groups of individuals convicted of sex offenses in one US state- those who have been removed from the state online sex offense registry (n=~200), those who remain on the online sex offense registry (n=~200) and a random sample of 200 registered individuals. These groups of individuals will be compared on indicators of recidivism (both sexual and non-sexual), such as arrests, convictions, incarcerations, registration, technical and supervision violations, offense type and recidivism timeframes. As individuals removed from a registry may inherently pose reduced risk, variables that account for potential reductions in risk (age, offense type and degree, victim gender, criminal history, etc.) will be controlled statistically. Additionally, follow-up time will be examined to determine relevant variations. Analyses will include bivariate and multivariate tests. Study results allow for data-driven decision-making. The results can inform criminal justice policies, treatment programs, and allocation of resources toward addressing sex offenses and promoting rehabilitation.

Authors

• Kristen Zgoba, Florida International University

• Kelly Socia, University of Massachusetts, Lowell