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Diagnostic and Risk Profiles of Men Detained Under Wisconsin's Sexually Violent Person Law

NCJ Number
230238
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 187-196
Author(s)
Richard W. Elwood; Dennis M. Doren; David Thornton
Date Published
April 2010
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study describes the diagnostic and risk profiles of 331 sexual offenders held under Wisconsin's sexual offender statute and compares them to the people held in those other States.
Abstract
Previous studies described the characteristics of individuals committed under sexual offender civil commitment laws in Arizona, Florida, and Washington. Persons detained under Wisconsin's law substantially differ from those in the other States. This variability is attributed to differences in both diagnostic procedures and statutory risk thresholds. The authors believe this is the first study to directly compare diagnoses and risk measures of sex offenders referred for commitment in different States, thereby offering a more national view of who is detained under these laws. Tables, and references (Published Abstract)