Predictors of Rearrest for Rapists and Child Molesters on Probation
Naomi J. Freeman*
State University of New York at Albany
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: naomijfreeman{at}yahoo.com.
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Abstract |
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As a result of sex crimes committed against vulnerable populations such as women and youth, American policy makers have increasingly focused on the risk that released sex offenders pose to the public. This study compared sex offender probationers to understand whether predictors of rearrest differ for rapists and child molesters. After a 3-year follow-up, rapists were significantly more likely than child molesters to be rearrested for a nonsexual offense, whereas a trend in the data indicated that child molesters were more likely than rapists to be rearrested for a sexual offense. Results of the study indicated that criminal histories and offender age were robust predictors for both rapists and child molesters.
