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
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

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.