TY - JOUR
T1 - The influence of sex offender registration on juvenile sexual recidivism
AU - Letourneau, Elizabeth J.
AU - Bandyopadhyay, Dipankar
AU - Sinha, Debajyoti
AU - Armstrong, Kevin S.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - This study examines the influence of South Carolina's sex offender registration policy on juvenile offender recidivism risk. Juvenile male sexual offender (N = 1,275) risk of recidivism was examined with an average 9-year follow-up. Survival analysis was used to examine the influence of covariates, including the primary time-dependent covariate registration status at time, on risk of new sexual offense charges and adjudications. A competing risks model was used to explain the effects of covariates on different types of recidivism events (sexual, assault, and other). Registration status at time had a significant effect on risk of new "other" offense charges and a marginal (p < .10) effect on risk of sexual offense charges (survival analysis) but no statistical evidence of affecting risk of new adjudications. Results suggest a surveillance effect leading to unnecessary charges for registered (vs. nonregistered) youth. State and national policy implications are discussed.
AB - This study examines the influence of South Carolina's sex offender registration policy on juvenile offender recidivism risk. Juvenile male sexual offender (N = 1,275) risk of recidivism was examined with an average 9-year follow-up. Survival analysis was used to examine the influence of covariates, including the primary time-dependent covariate registration status at time, on risk of new sexual offense charges and adjudications. A competing risks model was used to explain the effects of covariates on different types of recidivism events (sexual, assault, and other). Registration status at time had a significant effect on risk of new "other" offense charges and a marginal (p < .10) effect on risk of sexual offense charges (survival analysis) but no statistical evidence of affecting risk of new adjudications. Results suggest a surveillance effect leading to unnecessary charges for registered (vs. nonregistered) youth. State and national policy implications are discussed.
KW - Juvenile sexual offender
KW - Recidivism
KW - Registration
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U2 - 10.1177/0887403408327917
DO - 10.1177/0887403408327917
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:65549118830
SN - 0887-4034
VL - 20
SP - 136
EP - 153
JO - Criminal Justice Policy Review
JF - Criminal Justice Policy Review
IS - 2
ER -
