Most people who are convicted of sex offenses are eventually released back into the community. Risk assessment and management policies for those convicted of sex offenses attempt to understand and reduce the risk that these individuals may pose to others. For example, California mandates lifetime GPS tracking of people convicted of sex offenses. Many jurisdictions use regular polygraph assessments to evaluate acceptance of past crimes and to determine whether they may be committing new crimes. And some communities have adopted restorative-justice methods to help high-risk individuals with little community support to reintegrate safely into the community. As part of these diverse efforts, many jurisdictions classify them into risk tiers and use targeted management practices based on risk level.
What is the best way to determine the risk posed by those who have committed sex offenses after the are released? What methods can law enforcement or communities use to reduce the risk of reoffenses? Do the existing management and risk assessment laws serve their intended purpose? NIJ supports studies that seek to answer these questions. Such evidence can help us spend enforcement dollars wisely, keep communities safe, and help those convicted of sex offenses reintegrate into society.
Final reports
- Evaluability Assessments of the Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) Model
- Cross-Site Report, Ian A. Elliott, Gary Zajac, and Courtney A. Meyer, July 2013, NCJ 243832.
- Site Report: Colorado COSA, Ian A. Elliott, Gary Zajac, and Courtney A. Meyer, July 2013, NCJ 243833.
- Site Report: COSA Durham, Ian A. Elliott, Gary Zajac, and Courtney A. Meyer, July 2013, NCJ 243834.
- Site Report: COSA Fresno, Ian A. Elliott, Gary Zajac, and Courtney A. Meyer, July 2013, NCJ 243835.
- Site Report: COSA Lancaster, Ian A. Elliott, Gary Zajac, and Courtney A. Meyer, July 2013, NCJ 243836.
- Site Report: Vermont COSA, Ian A. Elliott, Gary Zajac, and Courtney A. Meyer, July 2013, NCJ 243837.
- Multi-State Recidivism Study Using Static-99R and Static-2002 Risk Scores and Tier Guidelines From the Adam Walsh Act, Kristen M. Zgoba, Michael Miner, Raymond Knight, Elizabeth Letourneau, Jill Levenson, and David Thornton, October 2012, NCJ 240099.
- Monitoring High-Risk Sex Offenders with GPS Technology: An Evaluation of the California Supervision Program, Stephen V. Gies, Randy Gainey, Marcia I. Cohen, Eoin Healy, Dan Duplantier, Martha Yeide, Alan Bekelman, Amanda Bobnis, and Michael Hopps, March 2012, NCJ 238481.
- A Model of Static and Dynamic Sex Offender Risk Assessment, Robert J. McGrath, Michael P. Lasher, and Georgia F. Cumming, October 2011, NCJ 236217.
- Sex Offenders: Recidivism and Collateral Consequences, Richard Tewksbury, Wesley G. Jennings, and Kristen Zgoba, September 2011, NCJ 238060.
- Sex Offender Management, Treatment, and Civil Commitment: An Evidence Based Analysis Aimed at Reducing Sexual Violence, Cynthia Calkins Mercado, Elizabeth Jeglic, Keith Markus, R. Karl Hanson, and Jill Levenson, January 2011, NCJ 243551.
- Evaluating and Improving Risk Assessment Schemes for Sexual Recidivism: A Long-Term Follow-Up of Convicted Sex Offenders, Raymond A. Knight and David Thorton, March 2007, NCJ 217618.
- Risk Management of Sexually Abusive Youth: A Follow Up Study, Robert Prentky, May 2006, NCJ 214261.
- Validation and Revision of the Multidimensional Assessment of Sex and Aggression, David D. Cerce and Raymond A. Knight, November 2001, NCJ 191196.
- Value of Polygraph Testing in Sex Offender Management, Sydney Cooley-Towell, Kim English, Linda Jones, Diane Pasini-Hill, and Diane Patrick, December 2000, NCJ 199673.
- How is the Post-Conviction Polygraph Examination Used in Adult Sex Offender Management Activities? Sydney Cooley-Towell, Kim English, Linda Jones, Diane Pasini-Hill, and Diane Patrick, December 2000, NCJ 202734.