Effectiveness of Residence Restrictions in Preventing Sex Offense Recidivism
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-2-2012
Abstract
Many municipalities have recently extended residence restrictions for sex offenders beyond the provisions of state law, although the efficacy of these measures in reducing recidivism has not been empirically established. This study used arrest histories in Jacksonville, Florida, to assess the effects of a recently expanded municipal 2,500-foot residence restriction ordinance on sex crimes and sex offense recidivism. Using a quasiexperimental design, pre- and posttest measures of recidivism were compared, and no significant differences in citywide sex crimes or recidivist sex crimes were found. In addition, time-series analysis revealed no significant differences in sex crime trends over time when compared with nonsex crimes from the same offender sample. After controlling for several demographic factors, individual-level multivariate results indicate that the timing of the residence restriction policy was not associated with a meaningful change in sex crime arrests or sex offender recidivism after the policy implementation date, suggesting that the residence restriction did not achieve its intended goal of reducing recidivism.
Publication
Crime & Delinquency
Publisher
SAGE Publishing
Volume
58
Issue
4
Pages
491-513
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Recommended Citation
Levenson, J. S., Nobles, M. R., & Youstin, T. J. (2012). Effectiveness of residence restrictions in preventing sex offense recidivism. Crime & Delinquency, 58(4), 491-513. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128712449230
Comments
Article first published online: July 2, 2012; Issue published: July 1, 2012