Treatment of Sex Offenders
N0JsYq
N0JsYq
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
236<br />
J.S. Levenson<br />
Sample & Kadleck, 2008 ). Sample et al. ( 2011 ) speculated that symbolic policies<br />
might achieve instrumental effects over time—perhaps measured by a wider range<br />
<strong>of</strong> positive outcomes beyond recidivism—and that in the cost/benefit analysis, the<br />
symbolic expression <strong>of</strong> zero tolerance for sexual violence will always outweigh<br />
<strong>of</strong>fender rights, fiscal considerations, and empirical testing.<br />
But policy analysis requires a continuous process <strong>of</strong> evaluation that measures<br />
progress toward intended goals as well as unanticipated outcomes that might prove<br />
contrary to the best interests <strong>of</strong> the community. Levenson and D’Amora ( 2007 )<br />
opined that ignoring evidence is analogous to Hans Christian Andersen’s story <strong>of</strong><br />
the Emperor’s New Clothes in which the king paraded through town nude, fooled by<br />
gypsies into wearing invisible clothes that purportedly could be seen by only an<br />
enlightened few. Similarly, in the absence <strong>of</strong> compelling evidence indicating that<br />
these policies reduce sexual re<strong>of</strong>fending, attention should be paid to mounting evidence<br />
<strong>of</strong> reintegration obstacles fostered by these laws. In fact, the unintended consequences<br />
<strong>of</strong> these laws might undermine their very purpose, which is to track and<br />
monitor sex <strong>of</strong>fenders.<br />
Social policies should be based on scientific data and are most likely to be successful<br />
when they incorporate research findings into their development and implementation.<br />
A more reasoned approach (Tabachnick & Klein, 2011 ) to sex <strong>of</strong>fender<br />
policies would utilize empirically derived risk assessment tools to create classification<br />
systems that apply more aggressive monitoring and tighter restrictions to those<br />
who pose the greatest threat to public safety. In this way, laws could more efficiently<br />
identify and target higher-risk <strong>of</strong>fenders, resulting in a more cost-effective allocation<br />
<strong>of</strong> fiscal and personnel resources. As well, in the absence <strong>of</strong> an empirical relationship<br />
between residential location and re<strong>of</strong>fending, sex <strong>of</strong>fender residence<br />
restrictions should be abolished as an untenable approach to sex <strong>of</strong>fender management.<br />
By tailoring application <strong>of</strong> these laws to risks and needs, collateral<br />
consequences <strong>of</strong> community protection policies could be minimized, and sex<br />
<strong>of</strong>fenders could be better enabled to engage in a law-abiding and prosocial lifestyle.<br />
Most sex <strong>of</strong>fenders will ultimately be returned to the community, and when they are,<br />
it behooves us to facilitate a reintegrative approach that relies on empirical research<br />
to inform community protection strategies. After all, when people have nothing to<br />
lose, they begin to behave accordingly.<br />
References<br />
Ackerman, A. R., Harris, A. J., Levenson, J. S., & Zgoba, K. (2011). Who are the people in your<br />
neighborhood? A descriptive analysis <strong>of</strong> individuals on public sex <strong>of</strong>fender registries.<br />
International Journal <strong>of</strong> Psychiatry and Law, 34 , 149–159.<br />
Ackerman, A. R., Levenson, J. S., & Harris, A. J. (2012). How many sex <strong>of</strong>fenders really live<br />
among us? Adjusted counts and population rates in five U.S. states. Journal <strong>of</strong> Crime and<br />
Justice, doi: 10.1080/0735648X.2012.666407 .<br />
Ackerman, A. R., Sacks, M., & Greenberg, D. F. (2012). Legislation targeting sex <strong>of</strong>fenders: Are<br />
recent policies effective in reducing rape? Justice Quarterly, 29 (6), 858–887.