Home      Login

Abstract: 

Many governments, both in the United States and elsewhere, have enacted laws to further protect society from dangerous offenders by providing additional police powers to confine, treat, and supervise individuals who pose acute risks. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, the laws are focused on the general category of dangerous offenders, whereas the U.S. laws are intended exclusively for sex offenders. The United States first attempted to impose special laws for sexual offenders in the 1930s. These sexual psychopathy laws diverted individuals from the criminal justice system into the mental health system. By 1960, sexual psychopathylaws were adopted by half the states. Ultimately the laws fell into disfavor, with dissatisfaction coming from numerous political bases.

Keywords: 

Affiliations:  1: Washington State Institute for Public Policy.