Citation

Cubellis MA, Walfield SM, Harris AJ. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2016; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0306624X16667574

PMID

27634816

Abstract

A growing body of research has examined the collateral effects of sex offender registration and notification (SORN), particularly those related to offenders' social and economic reintegration into society. Although studies have examined public, offender, treatment provider, and other criminal justice perspectives on SORN's collateral impacts, few have elicited the views of law enforcement (LE) professionals who have contact with registered offenders. This study presents results from a mixed method study examining LE perspectives on collateral consequences and effectiveness of SORN.

RESULTS indicate that, although overall LE concern regarding collateral impacts is limited, those who are most engaged in SORN-related duties are significantly more likely to indicate such concern, and also more likely to believe that SORN was an effective public safety tool. Importantly, respondents in states with larger registries expressed greater concern over collateral consequences, and less belief in SORN's public safety efficacy. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

© The Author(s) 2016.

Language: en