Sanctions for Sex Offenders: Fear and Public Policy

Y

15

Sanctions; Sexual Abuse; Correctional Institutions; Telephone Surveys; Criminals; Public Opinion; Socioeconomic Influences; Fear; Parents; Young Children; Punishment; Correlation; Family Income; Educational Attainment; Institutionalized Persons; Public Policy

10.1080/10509670903196066

1050-9674

This study investigated public attitudes regarding sex offender sanctions through telephone surveys (n = 703). The greatest support was for residency and work restrictions. There was less support for publication of names in a newspaper, curfews, life in prison, and castration. Support for nonsevere sanctions correlated with socioeconomic status, being a parent of a school or preschool aged child, and a fear of sex offenders. Support for severe punishments for sex offenders positively correlated with fear and being a parent of a preschool-aged child. Education and income were negatively correlated with both severe and non-severe sanctions for offenders. (Contains 2 tables.)

As Provided

43

2009

EJ863435