6-19-2011 California:
June 18, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Those convicted of sex-related offenses are subject to some of the toughest and most comprehensive penalties that the justice system has to offer. They regularly receive lengthy prison sentences, are often forced to register as sex offenders (making their name, address and employment information public record) and are stigmatized in other ways, all in the name of preventing the commission of future crimes.
Unfortunately, information recently provided by the California Coalition on Sexual Offending (CCSO) shows that the fear of recidivism is greatly exaggerated when compared with actual data collected by tracking convicted sex offenders. The difference between reality and perception is staggering: a 2004 law enforcement study revealed that approximately one-quarter of convicted offenders tracked re-offended, but the public assumes a recidivism rate of about 75 percent.
The huge gap between actual re-offense rates and misinformation reveals that the tens of millions of dollars the state of California spends annually to track convicted sex offenders via GPS and electronic monitoring could probably be better used elsewhere. The CCSO advocates a very different approach, one focusing not so much on containing or tracking offenders who have already "done their time," but instead focusing on educating the public. When there are programs in place to educate the public about the actual risks posed by convicted sex offenders and to rehabilitate the offenders themselves, the recidivism rate is much lower.
Even though the CCSO advocates a different approach to preventing sex offenders from committing future crimes, the laws on the books governing the punishment of sex offenders are very strict. If you or a loved one is facing sex crime charges, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney at your side as soon as possible to protect your rights and start mounting an aggressive defense on your behalf.
Many who believe themselves to be innocent decide to speak with police, Child Protective Services, or other investigators in the mistaken belief they can convince them of their innocence. This is generally a mistake, as the investigators have probably already concluded about their case, and are there only to gather evidence against them. Even denials of abuse can be used against you if there are slight differences in what you say and what other witnesses may have said. Trained investigators are very good at gathering evidence against even the innocent. Do not speak to them alone. Call a qualified criminal defense attorney before making any statements to anybody. ..Source.. by Jerrold M. Bodow, Attorney at Law, A.P.L.C.
Showing posts with label Recidivism Rates - Factoids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Recidivism Rates - Factoids. Show all posts
June 19, 2011
Sex Crime Rates: Perception Versus Reality
February 24, 2011
Recidivism Rates: Factoid -v- Reality
2-23-2011 National:
What are "Factoid Recidivism Rates," well lets say that is a coined phrase to describe the number of times that speakers quote sex offender recidivism rates incorrectly, or numbers that plainly make no sense!
While it is true no one knows the exact recidivism rate for those who have previously committed a sex offense, but everyone knows it is LOW, and at very least, a 2003 Dep't of Justice study has proved that (See below).
So, lets settle for, its not high!
But, in the recent House hearing a certain person testified, and now I will quote from their submitted testimony, "sex offenders represent the highest risk of reoffense; and ..." and there is no authority for that comment.The following is quoted from that study:
Now lets see what the DOJ has to say "Within 3 years following their release, 5.3% of sex offenders (men who had committed rape or sexual assault) were rearrested for another sex crime."
Rearrest for a new sex crime:Non sex offenders released also committed sex offenses within three years of release, but notice the study uses percentages rather then actual numbers. Why? Study the chart, my answer follows the chart:
Compared to non-sex offenders released from State prisons, released sex offenders were 4 times more likely to be rearrested for a sex crime. Within the first 3 years following their release from prison in 1994, 5.3% (517 of the 9,691) of released sex offenders were rearrested for a sex crime. The rate for the 262,420 released non-sex offenders was lower, 1.3% (3,328 of 262,420). (page 7 of study)
Sex offenders compared to non-sex offenders Who will commit more new sex offenses within 3-years of being paroled, sex offenders -OR- non-sex offenders? Non sex offenders commit more new sex offenses when paroled! |
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Using percentages (5.3% and 1.3%) certainly makes sex offenders look worse than non sex offenders, at least until you convert percentages into actual numbers: 517 -v- 3,328. Yes, those numbers represent new crimes and new victims, but which group is more of a danger to the community? Right, the non sex offenders released from prison.
Finally, think about this, there are no laws covering the non sex offenders released back into the community, and because of their new sex crimes, lawmakers try to put more and more controls on former sex offenders believing that will stop the new sex crimes by non sex offenders released.
Lawmakers refuse to do anything about this problem, and you'll notice that there was no mention of this problem in any hearing before Congress. Are those victims (3,328 in 1994) being sacrificed to perpetuate a political stance, year after year after year? Sixteen years worth of victims which must now number in the tens of thousands!
There was another study released which covered recidivism of all crimes of prisoners released in 1994. The study is "Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 1994" and the following chart appears in that study.
Look down the column colored green, new convictions following release, is there any way to conclude, other than factoid based, that "sex offenders represent the highest risk of reoffense" or are there other crime types with higher recidivism rates?I'll close with that comment.
Have a great day and a better tomorrow.
eAdvocate
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