NCJ Number
135833
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 54-80
Date Published
1992
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This study analyzes the recidivism rate among 560 sex offenders released from Western Australian prisons in the period 1975-87. The research seeks to shed light on the question of the degree to which known sex offenders can be characterized as specialists.
Abstract
A failure rate analysis provided estimates of probabilities of recidivism (reincarceration) for any offense at 0.35 for non-Aborigines and 0.80 for Aborigines. Estimates of probabilities of committing further offenses of violence, including further sex offenses, were 0.21 and 0.62 respectively, but these figures are not reliable for predicting offending behavior. A method of covariate analysis for recidivist data demonstrated that prior record, age, and race were crucial determining factors, but little evidence of specialization was found. The authors argue that the evaluation of interventions should proceed on the basis of estimates of violent rather than repeat offending. The authors also discuss the utility of incapacitation strategies, problems of crime prevention, research implications, and policy implications. Tables, figures, references