Jason Rydberg
Assistant Professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Key Findings
- Sex offenders released under residence restrictions were twice as likely to move three or more times compared to offenders released prior to the legislation.
- Sex offenders with child victims under the age of 13 experienced the highest degree of residential movement but were less likely to move after residency restrictions were enacted.
Description
This study explores the residency restriction policies by examining the frequency and correlation of sex offenders moving before and after residency restriction legislation. Using a sample of male sex offenders from the Midwest, the authors observed differential effects of the legislation on sub-groups of sex offenders. The authors found that sex offenders who move often are less likely to complete treatment programs, more likely to reoffend and may be difficult to manage in the community. Based on their findings, the authors suggest tailoring residence restrictions to individual sex offender risk factors, such as having child victims.