Impressions of ineffectiveness: exploring support partners' attitudes toward sex offender registration and notification

摘要

The present study utilized in-depth qualitative interviews with 38 people who provided formal social support to registered sex offenders to explore their attitudes toward sex offender registration and notification (SORN). Findings revealed that there were three primary areas of perceptions that these support partners had concerning SORN laws. These themes - incapable of adequately raising public awareness, unable to impact sex offender recidivism, and inappropriate for most sex offenders - suggested that such policies were ineffective strategies for sex offender management. Limitations, directions for future research, and corresponding policy implications are discussed.