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Assessing Sex Offender Recidivism Using Multiple Measures: A Longitudinal Analysis

NCJ Number
245892
Journal
Prison Journal Volume: 93 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2013 Pages: 411-428
Author(s)
Lawrence L. Bench; Terry D. Allen
Date Published
December 2013
Length
18 pages
Annotation
While the recidivistic activity of sex offenders has received considerable attention from researchers, most studies have been limited by using a single measurement of recidivism.
Abstract
While the recidivistic activity of sex offenders has received considerable attention from researchers, most studies have been limited by using a single measurement of recidivism. Using arrest/conviction episodes as the unit of analysis, the present study tracked 389 convicted sex offenders for up to 10 arrest/conviction episodes using 11 different measurements of recidivism for an average of 15.7 years. Logistic regression was used to create a model that successfully predicted recidivism with approximately 70% accuracy. The rate of recidivism as defined by new convictions for sex offenses was approximately 10% overall. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage.