Study Debunks Myths About Sex Offenders
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) Already half a dozen bills are in the works to tighten Utah's sex offender laws, including rules about where they can live and work. The trend prompted the Utah Department of Corrections to study the effectiveness of its programs to treat sex offenders."A lot of decisions end up being made because of emotions or misperceptions, and we're just trying to put some data behind those decisions," says Scott Carver, executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections.
The study followed 400 felony sex offenders from treatment in the prison system through 26 years after release and found 83 percent had no new criminal convictions during that time. Carver says the study debunks a common myth that sex offenders are "lying in wait for your children and stalking them."
"What this information shows is the vast majority of sex offenders do not recommit crimes of general nature and sex offenses in particular," says Carver.
The Department of Corrections hopes the study will convince lawmakers to focus first on putting more money into sex offender treatment. About 27 percent of inmates in Utah's prison system have committed sex offenders.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. Anothen said:
What? Someone is approaching the problem with an ounce of sanity?
2. dhizzy said:
It is about time someone puts the facts out there. If they want to find laws that do not work just have them call any sherrif or county attorney in iowa. They have such a mess there they cant take the residency law off fast enough