This essay will focus on Megan’s Law, a program in the United States of America that is aimed at deterring the rate of recidivism for offenders who have been convicted of child-related offences. The essay will argue that the theoretical basis is inadequate to achieve the desired result due to the lack of focus on offenders and the negative consequences that all offenders encounter.
In July 1994, Jesse Timmendequas, a twice convicted sex offender was charged for the rape and murder of Megan Kanke, a seven-year-old girl who resided in his neighbourhood (SOURCE). The mother of Megan Kanke questioned local authorities on why there was no community notification of a convicted sex offender living in their neighbourhood (SOURCE). As a result of …show more content…
Due to this, Megan’s Law has a strong theoretical framework, as by limiting the opportunities where an individual can offend will cause the rate of crime to reduce.
However, 16 years after the implementation of the registration and notification of sex offenders, the results of recidivism in communities vary.
In Minnesota, the rate of recidivism amongst high risk sex offenders appeared to decrease when comparing data from individuals released pre-laws and after 1997 (Duwe and Donnay, 2008). The data showed a 30.8 percent decrease in sexual rearrest and a 24.1 percent decrease in non-sexual rearrests of offenders under the notification laws. The results show that by removing the offender from the community, it increases the difficulty to create healthy relationships (SOURCE). However, the prevention of new relationships can be a supporting factor to the reduced rates of offending, as studies show that offenders are more likely to reoffend with someone that they know (SOURCE X 3). The success in Minnesota also relies on the prevention methods established by residents in neighbourhoods where offenders live. Residents are found to be more active in reporting behaviour as well as taking precautionary …show more content…
The theoretical basis of the theory, regards removing and limiting certain opportunities to deter offenders from reoffending. However, the implementation of Megan’s Law has seen varied results with only some states in America seeing a reduction of recidivism. The other states are left with the collateral consequences of the implementation of the program and a higher rate of recidivism for offenders. Due to this, the theoretical understanding of crime may not be substantial to adequately reduce the risk of reoffending in communities. To ensure Megan’s Law achieves the aims, other programs should be implemented such as rehabilitation for offenders, to address the need to
In July 1994, Jesse Timmendequas, a twice convicted sex offender was charged for the rape and murder of Megan Kanke, a seven-year-old girl who resided in his neighbourhood (SOURCE). The mother of Megan Kanke questioned local authorities on why there was no community notification of a convicted sex offender living in their neighbourhood (SOURCE). As a result of …show more content…
Due to this, Megan’s Law has a strong theoretical framework, as by limiting the opportunities where an individual can offend will cause the rate of crime to reduce.
However, 16 years after the implementation of the registration and notification of sex offenders, the results of recidivism in communities vary.
In Minnesota, the rate of recidivism amongst high risk sex offenders appeared to decrease when comparing data from individuals released pre-laws and after 1997 (Duwe and Donnay, 2008). The data showed a 30.8 percent decrease in sexual rearrest and a 24.1 percent decrease in non-sexual rearrests of offenders under the notification laws. The results show that by removing the offender from the community, it increases the difficulty to create healthy relationships (SOURCE). However, the prevention of new relationships can be a supporting factor to the reduced rates of offending, as studies show that offenders are more likely to reoffend with someone that they know (SOURCE X 3). The success in Minnesota also relies on the prevention methods established by residents in neighbourhoods where offenders live. Residents are found to be more active in reporting behaviour as well as taking precautionary …show more content…
The theoretical basis of the theory, regards removing and limiting certain opportunities to deter offenders from reoffending. However, the implementation of Megan’s Law has seen varied results with only some states in America seeing a reduction of recidivism. The other states are left with the collateral consequences of the implementation of the program and a higher rate of recidivism for offenders. Due to this, the theoretical understanding of crime may not be substantial to adequately reduce the risk of reoffending in communities. To ensure Megan’s Law achieves the aims, other programs should be implemented such as rehabilitation for offenders, to address the need to