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Sex Offender Management and Risk Assessment

Date Published
August 18, 2014

Most people who are convicted of sex offenses are eventually released back into the community. Risk assessment and management policies for those convicted of sex offenses attempt to understand and reduce the risk that these individuals may pose to others. For example, California mandates lifetime GPS tracking of people convicted of sex offenses. Many jurisdictions use regular polygraph assessments to evaluate acceptance of past crimes and to determine whether they may be committing new crimes. And some communities have adopted restorative-justice methods to help high-risk individuals with little community support to reintegrate safely into the community. As part of these diverse efforts, many jurisdictions classify them into risk tiers and use targeted management practices based on risk level.

What is the best way to determine the risk posed by those who have committed sex offenses after the are released? What methods can law enforcement or communities use to reduce the risk of reoffenses? Do the existing management and risk assessment laws serve their intended purpose? NIJ supports studies that seek to answer these questions. Such evidence can help us spend enforcement dollars wisely, keep communities safe, and help those convicted of sex offenses reintegrate into society.

Final reports

Date Published: August 18, 2014