Sex Offender Laws: Failed Policies, New Directions
"This volume of readings provides an excellent source of information about sex offender laws and policies."--International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology\ "Sex Offender Laws...is a good source for balanced, objective, and thorough critique of our current sex offender policies as well as a source for accurate information about a very heterogeneous population...The message that sexual abuse is often a multifaceted and complex issue and that policy based on quick fixes...
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"[T]his fine book by Richard Wright and his distinguished collaborators provides the evidence that wise policy-makers would want to consider. It covers every major field of research concerning sex offenders and sexual offenses and provides evidence of bad practices and policies .Intellectually honest politicians should read this book." --Michael Tonry, LL.B, Professor of Law and Public PolicyUniversity of Minnesota Law School (From the Foreword)In response to many high-profile cases of sexual assault, federal and state governments have placed a number of unique criminal sanctions on sex offenders. These include residency restrictions, exclusionary zones, electronic monitoring, and chemical castration. However, the majority of sex offender policies are not based on empirical evidence, nor have they demonstrated any significant reductions in offender recidivism. In fact, some of these policies have unintended consequences, which actually increase the likelihood of sexual offenses.In this book, Wright critically analyzes existing policies, and assesses the most effective approaches in preventing sex offender recidivism. This provocative and timely book draws from the fields of criminal justice, law, forensic psychology, and social work to examine how current laws and policies are enacted and what to-date is known about their efficacy. The team of expert contributors includes Karen Terry, author of Sexual Offenses and Offenders, and others who bring a wealth of insight to the field of sex offense.In response to the failed policies of sex offender laws, this book presents alternative models and approaches to sex offense laws and policies. Wright also explores critical, cutting-edge topics, such as internet sexual solicitation, the death penalty, and community responses to sex offense. Key Features:An introduction and overview of the history of sex offender lawsAnalyzes the role of the media in sex offense and sex offender policiesExamines the political "untouchability" of sex offender laws and their adverse effects Features interviews with victims of sexual assault, investigating their points of views on what kinds of reforms need to be made to sex offender lawsThought-provoking and insightful, Sex Offender Laws serves as a vital resource for policy makers, researchers, and students of criminal justice, law, and social work.
Contributors viiiForeword ixPart I OverviewChapter 1 Introduction: The Failure of Sex Offender Policies Richard G. Wright 1Chapter 2 The Problem of Sexual Assault Francis M. Williams 17Chapter 3 A Brief History of Major Sex Offender Laws Karen J. Terry Alissa R. Ackerman 65Chapter 4 The Politics of Sex Offender Policies: An Interview with Patricia Wetterling Patricia Wetterling Richard G. Wright 99Part II Sex Offender PoliciesChapter 5 Internet Sex Stings Richard G. Wright 115Chapter 6 Sex Offenders, Mandatory HIV Testing, and Intentional Transmission Cheryl Radeloff Erica Carnes 159Chapter 7 Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Lisa L. Sample Mary K. Evans 211Chapter 8 GPS Monitoring of Sex Offenders Michelle L. Meloy Shareda Coleman 243Chapter 9 Sex Offender Residence Restrictions Jill Levenson 267Chapter 10 Chemical and Surgical Castration Charles Scott Elena del Busto 291Chapter 11 The Civil Commitment of Sexual Predators: A Policy Review Andrew J. Harris 339Chapter 12 The Death Penalty Corey Rayburn Yung 373Part III Policy AlternativesChapter 13 Leaders in Sex Offender Research and Policy Alissa R. Ackerman Karen J. Terry 397Chapter 14 The Containment Approach to Managing Sex Offenders Kim English 427Chapter 15 Sexual Violence and Restorative Justice Jo-Ann Della Giustina 449Chapter 16 The Impact of Sex Offender Policies on Victims Rachel Kate Bandy 471Index 509
