Home      Login

Abstract: 

Editor’s Note: This is the second part of two-part series by Jill Levenson analyzing residency restrictions for sexual offenders. (Jill S. Levenson, “Sex Offender Residence Restrictions, Part I,” 7 (3) SLR 33 (Apr./May 2006).) This is a topic of significant importance and controversy, as many states are enacting or expanding residency requirements at this time. The first half of the article introduced the topic of residency requirements and explained how such policies are often based upon myths about sex offenders, in particular that all sex offenders reoffend, treatment does not work, and sexual offenses are committed by strangers. Dr. Levenson also addressed concerns about residency restrictions, including whether such restrictions are an effective tool for prevention, the decreasein stability and increase in isolation of offenders, and the resulting family disruption. The second part of this article focuses on policy recommendations based upon empirical knowledge of sexual offenses and offenders.

Keywords: 

Affiliations:  1: Lynn University.