NCJ Number
231493
Journal
Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 49-58
Date Published
January 2010
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the outcome of juvenile sexual homicide offenders who were released back into the community after incarceration or had remained at liberty after their first sexual killing.
Abstract
Juvenile sexual homicide is rare, occurring just 10-15 times a year in the United States. No study addressing how convicted juvenile sexual murderers adjust upon reentering the community exists. A safety concern, given this research gap, is the social movement afoot to abolish life sentences for juvenile offenders. If successful, then more of these offenders will be released back into society. This descriptive study examined: (1) the clinical findings and legal outcomes of 22 sexually homicidal juveniles following arrest; and (2) the relationship between post-incarceration community adjustment and the variables of sexual sadism and psychopathy. All 22 offenders were tried in adult court59 percent received 1 or more life sentences. Conduct disorder, personality disorders, sexual sadism, and psychopathic traits were prevalent. Mean intelligence quotient was 103. Follow-up community recidivism data was available for 11 cases: 5 (45 percent) remained free of further convictions for an average of 8.9 years, whereas 6 (55 percent) recidivated 4.4 years later on average. Recidivators had higher Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised scores. Three of the six recidivators survived an average of 5.3 years before committing additional sexually homicidal acts (all three had sexual sadism). Thus, 27 percent of the follow-up group evolved into serial sexual murderers. The remaining three recidivators committed non-sexual offences. These findings have relevance to criminal investigations, courtroom sentencing, and treatment strategies. References (Published Abstract)