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Attitudes about rehabilitating sex offenders: Demographic, victimization, and community-level influences

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  • Payne, Brian K.
  • Tewksbury, Richard
  • Mustaine, Elizabeth Ehrhardt

Abstract

In this study, attention was given to how demographic, victimization, and community-level factors contribute to the belief that sex offenders can be rehabilitated. A survey was conducted with 746 residents of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia. A vast majority of the sample thought it was impossible to rehabilitate sex offenders, and a sizeable proportion of respondents indicated that they did not know whether sex offenders could be rehabilitated. Results showed that very few factors predicted attitudes about rehabilitating sex offenders. The implications call for expanded efforts to educate the public about sex offenders, as well as strategies for strengthening support for rehabilitation. In particular, it is argued that more attention should be given to identifying the punitive aspects of rehabilitation and increasing awareness about treatment strategies among policymakers. The authors also call for reconceptualizing rehabilitation so the concept is driven by practical matters rather than politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Payne, Brian K. & Tewksbury, Richard & Mustaine, Elizabeth Ehrhardt, 2010. "Attitudes about rehabilitating sex offenders: Demographic, victimization, and community-level influences," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 580-588, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcjust:v:38:y::i:4:p:580-588
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cochran, John K. & Chamlin, Mitchell B., 2006. "The enduring racial divide in death penalty support," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 85-99.
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    4. Payne, Brian K. & Gainey, Randy R. & Triplett, Ruth A. & Danner, Mona J. E., 2004. "What drives punitive beliefs?: Demographic characteristics and justifications for sentencing," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 195-206.
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    1. Koon-Magnin, Sarah, 2015. "Perceptions of and support for sex offender policies: Testing Levenson, Brannon, Fortney, and Baker’s findings," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 80-88.
    2. Mancini, Christina & Shields, Ryan T., 2014. "Notes on a (sex crime) scandal: The impact of media coverage of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church on public opinion," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 221-232.

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