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Sexual Offender Re-Entry

Page history last edited by ACE Community Policy Institute 7 years, 8 months ago

Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to additional information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items. See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you.

Contributor(s): Megan Grace and Kayla Rissew

Goal Statement one sentence that further defines the topic

There are many obstacles that sexual offenders face when trying to obtain accessible and affordable housing after being released from prison. It is imperative to understand the unique obstacles that face sex offenders due to the lack of research and attention pertaining to this segment of the population.

Policy Options / Model Programs specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled

Cognitive Programs and Skill Development- Prisoners who receive cognitive behavior, cognitive skill, and relapse prevention programs in prison are less likely to return to prison. These forms of training help the offender to gain usable social skills to employ in their life beyond confinement (Bumby, Talbot, and Carter 2007).
Community Connection Programs- Sex offenders in prison who are engaged with their community before re-entry and upon re-entry have lower recidivism rates. Community relations provide a person with numerous sociological and psychological benefits that may prevent them from recommitting a crime. In Vermont, Prisoners are assigned to an collaborate with a parole officer 90 days before release who helps them transition from prison. This practice may also help prisoners to establish a support system once they are released from prison (Bumby, Talbot, and Carter 2007).
Child-Safe Zones- Many laws seek to restrict where sex offenders may live. Alternatively, some areas have sought policies that place fewer limits on where an ex-offender may live and, instead focus on controlling where an offender may go. Communities may create areas where former sex offenders are not allowed, due to a high presence of potential victims, as opposed to restricting the residence of an offender (Zgoba, Levenson, and McKnee 2009).

Local/State/National Information additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

Glossary of Terms key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue

Bibliography

Bumby, Kurt, Tom Talbot, and Madeline Carter. 2007."Managing the Challenges of Sex Offender Reentry." Center for Sex Offender Management. http://www.csom.org/pubs/reentry_brief.pdf.
Zgoba, Kristen M., Jill Levenson, and Tracy McKee. 2009. "Examining the impact of sex offender residence restrictions on housing availability." Criminal Justice Policy Review 20 (1): 91-110.