Managing Risk: From Regulation to the Reintegration of Sexual Offenders.

Source: (2006) Criminology and Criminal Justice. 6 (2):197-218.

It has been demonstrated that the current concern with managing sex offenders in the community can be located within an overall retributive regulatory framework. However, it is recognized that a punitive response is no longer sufficient for these types of offenses. A more holistic response to the problem is seen as more reasonable and would address not just punishment and control but also an offender’s rehabilitation and reintegration. Alternative forms of justice have the ability to manage the risk posed by sex offenders in the community more effectively and improve the outcome for victims and communities affected by sexual offenses. The two central components of such an approach are the use of restorative community justice within a holistic reintegrative context and the need for public education and awareness. The principle argument of this study is that given the failure of traditional regulatory approaches there is scope for exploring the potential of other forms of justice in order to manage risk, reintegrate sex offenders, and protect the public more effectively. Key elements of such an approach are the theory and practice of reintegrative or restorative community justice and public education and awareness campaigns. Abstract courtesy of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.gov.