Skip to main content

Residence Restrictions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of sex offender residence restriction (SORR) policies and how they have expanded in recent years. The historical rationale for the development of these laws is presented and contrasted with the situational sexual violence prevention literature and stranger danger myth of sexual offenders. The effectiveness and collateral consequences of such laws will also be discussed. Finally, the chapter concludes with recommendations for evidence-based sex offender policy reform.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • American Psychological Association. (1999). Dangerous sexual offenders: A task force report of the American Psychiatric Association. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blood, P., Watson, L., & Stageberg, P. (2008). State legislation monitoring report, Des Moines. A: Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broward County Commission. (2009). Final report: Sexual offender and sexual predator residence task force. FL: Fort Lauderdale.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruell, C., Swatt, M., & Sample, L. (2008). Potential consequences of sex offender residency restriction laws: Housing availability and offender displacement. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology, St. Louis, MO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2003). Recidivism of sex offenders released from prison in 1994 (NCJ 198281). Retrieved from Washington, DC: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rsorp94.pdf

  • California: re William Taylor et al. on Habeas Corpus, Ct. App. S206143 (Cal. 2015). Retrieved from: http://cases.justia.com/california/supreme-court/2015-s206143.pdf?ts=1425319218

  • California Sex Offender Management Board. (2011). Homelessness among California’s sex offenders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chajewski, M., & Mercado, C. C. (2009). An evaluation of sex offender residency restriction functioning in town, county, and city-wide jurisdictions. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 20(1), 44–61. doi:10.1177/0887403408320845

    Google Scholar 

  • Colombino, N., Mercado, C. C., Levenson, J. S., & Jeglic, E. L. (2011). Preventing sexual violence: Can examination of offense location inform sex crime policy? International Journal of Psychiatry and Law, 34(3), 160–167. doi:10.1016/j.ijlp.2011.04.002

    Google Scholar 

  • Colorado Department of Public Safety. (2004). Report on safety issues raised by living arrangements for and location of sex offenders in the community (S. O. M. B. Division of Criminal Justice, Trans.). Denver, CO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornwell, J., Jacobi, J., & Witt, P. (1999). The New Jersey sexually violent predator act: Analysis and recommendations for the treatment of sexual offenders in New Jersey. Seton Hall Legislative Journal, 24, 1–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Does et al. v. Snyder et al., 103 (D. Michigan 2015). Retrieved from http://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/michigan/miedce/2:2012cv11194/267862/103/0.pdf?ts=1427902085

  • Duwe, G., Donnay, W., & Tewksbury, R. (2008). Does residential proximity matter? A geographic analysis of sex offense recidivism. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 35(4), 484–504. doi:10.1177/0093854807313690

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., & Bussiere, M. T. (1998). Predicting relapse: a meta-analysis of sexual offender recidivism studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(2), 348-362. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.66.2.348

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., & Morton-Bourgon, K. (2005). The characteristics of persistent sexual offenders: a meta-analysis of recidivism studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73(6), 1154–1163. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.73.6.1154

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., Bourgon, G., Helmus, L., & Hodgson, S. (2009). The principles of effective correctional treatment also apply to sexual offenders: A meta-analysis. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36(9), 865–891. doi:10.1177/0093854809338545

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., Gordon, A., Harris, A. J. R., Marques, J. K., Murphy, W., Quinsey, V. L., et al. (2002). First report of the collaborative outcome data project on the effectiveness of treatment for sex offenders. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 14(2), 169–194. doi:10.1177/107906320201400207

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, R. K., Harris, A. J., Helmus, L., & Thornton, D. (2014). High-risk sex offenders may not be high risk forever. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29(15), 2792–2813. doi:10.117/0886260514526062

  • Harris, A. J. R., & Hanson, R. K. (2004). Sex offender recidivism: A simple question (2004-03). Retrieved from Ottawa. http://www.static99.org/pdfdocs/harrisandhanson2004simpleq.pdf

  • Harris, A. J. R., & Hanson, R. K. (2012, October). When is a sex offender no longer a sex offender? Paper presented at the 31st annual research and treatment conference of the association for the treatment of sexual abusers, Denver, CO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, A. J. R., Phenix, A., Hanson, R. K., & Thornton, D. (2003). Static-99 coding rules. Retrieved 15 October, 2008 from http://ww2.ps-sp.gc.ca/publications/corrections/pdf/Static-99codingRules_e.pdf

  • Huebner, B. M., Kras, K. R., Rydberg, J., Bynum, T. S., Grommon, E., & Pleggenkuhle, B. (2014). The Effect and Implications of Sex Offender Residence Restrictions. Criminology & Public Policy, 13(1), 139–168. doi:10.1111/1745-9133.12066

    Google Scholar 

  • Huebner, B. M., Bynum, T. S., Rydberg, J., Kras, K., Grommon, E., & Pleggenkuhle, B. (2013). An evaluation of sex offender residency restrictions in Michigan and Missouri.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iowa County Attorneys Association. (2006). Statement on sex offender residency restrictions in Iowa. Des Moines: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilgannon, C. (2007, February 17). Suffolk county to keep sex offenders on the move. The New York Times, p. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaFond, J. (2005). Preventing sexual violence: How society should cope with sex offenders. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Leger, D. L. (2012). Sex offenders gather in trailer parks. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-09/sex-offender-clusters/52472008/1

  • Levenson, J. S. (2008). Collateral consequences of sex offender residence restrictions. Criminal Justice Studies, 21(2), 153–166. doi:10.1080/14786010802159822

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S. (2009). Sex offender residence restrictions. In R. Wright (Ed.), Sex offender laws: Failed policies, new directions. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S. (2010). Sex offender residence restrictions and community re-entry. In A. Schlank (Ed.), The sexual predator: Law, Policy, evaluation and treatment (Vol. 4). New York, NY: Civic Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S., Ackerman, A. R., & Harris, A. J. (2013). Catch me if you can: An analysis of fugitive sex offenders. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research and Treatment, 26(2), 129–148. doi:10.1177/1079063213480820

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S., Ackerman, A. R., Socia, K. M., & Harris, A. J. (2014). Where for art thou? Transient sex offenders and residence restrictions. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 26(4), 319–344. doi:10.1177/0887403413512326

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S., & Cotter, L. P. (2005). The impact of sex offender residence restrictions: 1,000 feet from danger or one step from absurd? International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 49(2), 168–178. doi:10.1177/0306624x04271304

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S., & Hern, A. (2007). Sex offender residence restrictions: Unintended consequences and community re-entry. Justice Research and Policy, 9(1), 59–73. doi:10.3818/jrp.9.1.2007.59

    Google Scholar 

  • Levenson, J. S., & Tewksbury, R. (2009). Collateral damage: Family members of registered sex offenders. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 34(1), 54–68. doi:10.1007/s12103-008-9055-x

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobanov-Rostovsky, C. (2015). Adult sex offender management. National Criminal Justice Association and U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from http://www.smart.gov/pdfs/AdultSexOffenderManagement.pdf

  • Losel, F., & Schmucker, M. (2005). The effectiveness of treatment for sexual offenders: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1, 117–146. doi:10.1007/s11292-004-6466-7

  • Marques, J. K., Wiederanders, M., Day, D. M., Nelson, C., & van Ommeren, A. (2005). Effects of a relapse prevention program on sexual recidivism: Final results from California’s Sex Offender Treatment and Evaluation Project (SOTEP). Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research & Treatment, 17(1), 79–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meloy, M. L., Miller, S. L., & Curtis, K. M. (2007, November 16). Distortion, exaggeration and hysteria in sex offender legislation: The deconstruction of state-level sex offender residency and mobility restrictions. Paper presented at the American Society for Criminology, Atlanta, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meloy, M. L., Miller, S. L., & Curtis, K. M. (2008). Making sense out of nonsense: The deconstruction of state-level sex offender residence restrictions. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 33(2), 209–222. doi:10.1007/s12103-008-9

  • Mercado, C. C., Alvarez, S., & Levenson, J. S. (2008). The impact of specialized sex offender legislation on community re-entry. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 20(2), 188–205. doi:10.1177/1079063208317540

    Google Scholar 

  • Meredith, T., Speir, J., & Johnson, S. (2007). Developing and implementing automated risk assessments in parole. Justice Research and Policy, 9(1), 1–21. doi:10.3818/jrp.9.1.2007.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R. K. (1936). The unanticipated consequences of purposive social action. American Sociological Review, 1(6), 894–904. doi:10.2307/2084615

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minnesota Department of Corrections. (2003). Level three sex offenders residential placement issues. MN: St Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • NAESV. (2006). Community management of convicted sex offenders: Registration, electronic monitoring, civil commitment, mandatory minimums, and residency restrictions. Retrieved 2 April, 2006, from www.naesv.org

  • Nobles, M. R., Levenson, J. S., & Youstin, T. J. (2012). Effectiveness of residence restrictions in preventing sex offense recidivism. Crime and Delinquency, 58(4), 491–513. doi:10.1177/0011128712449230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Red Bird, B. (2009). Assessing housing availability under Ohio’s sex offender residency restrictions. Columbus, OH: Ohio State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rydberg, J., Grommon, E., Huebner, B. M., & Bynum, T. (2014). The effect of statewide residency restrictions on sex offender post-release housing mobility. Justice Quarterly, 31(2), 421–444. doi:10.1080/07418825.2012.667141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sample, L. L. (2006). An examination of the degree to which sex offenders kill. Criminal Justice Review, 31(3), 230–250. doi:10.1177/0734016806292929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sample, L. L., & Bray, T. M. (2003). Are sex offenders dangerous? Criminology and Public Policy, 3(1), 59–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sample, L. L., & Bray, T. M. (2006). Are sex offenders different? An examination of rearrest patterns. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 17(1), 83–102. doi:10.1177/0887403405282916

    Google Scholar 

  • Sample, L. L., Evans, M. K., & Anderson, A. L. (2011). Sex offender community notification laws: Are their effects symbolic or instrumental in nature? Criminal Justice Policy Review, 22(1), 27–49. doi:10.1177/088740341037369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sample, L. L., & Kadleck, C. (2008). Sex offender laws: Legislators’ accounts of the need for policy. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 19(1), 40–62. doi:10.1177/0887403407308292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxer, S. R. (2009). Banishment of sex offenders: Liberty, protectionism, justice, and alternatives. Washington University Law Review, 86, 1397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmalleger, F., & Smykla, J. O. (2009). Corrections in the 21st century (4th ed.). McGraw Hill: New York, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulenberg, J. L. (2007). Predicting noncompliant behavior: Disparities in the social locations of male and female probationers. Justice Research and Policy, 9(1), 25–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Socia, K. M. (2011). Residence restriction legislation, sex crime rates, and the spatial distribution of sex offender residences. Unpublished Dissertation, SUNY Albany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Socia, K. M. (2012a). The efficacy of county-level sex offender residence restrictions in New York. Crime and Delinquency, 58(4), 612–642. doi:10.1177/0011128712441694

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Socia, K. M. (2012b). The implementation of county residence restrictions in New York. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 18(2), 206–230. doi:10.1037/a0024993

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Socia, K. M. (2013). Too close for comfort? Registered sex offender spatial clustering and recidivistic sex crime arrest rates. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 25(6), 531–556. doi:10.1177/1079063212469061

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Socia, K. M. (2014). Residence Restrictions Are Ineffective, Inefficient, and Inadequate: So Now What? Criminology & Public Policy, 13(1), 179–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Socia, K. M., & Stamatel, J. P. (2012). Neighborhood characteristics and the social control of registered sex offenders. Crime and Delinquency, 58(4), 565–587. doi:10.1177/0011128711420111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, B., Makarios, M. D., & Travis, L. F. (2015). Examining the effects of residential situations and residential mobility on offender recidivism. Crime and Delinquency, 61(3), 375–401. doi:10.1177/0011128711399409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland, E. H. (1950). The sexual psychopath laws. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 40(5), 543–554. doi:10.2307/1137845

    Google Scholar 

  • Tewksbury, R., & Mustaine, E. (2008). Where registered sex offenders live: Community characteristics and proximity to possible victims. Victims and Offenders, 3(1), 86–98. doi:10.1080/15564880701752371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tewksbury, R., & Mustaine, E. E. (2006). Where to find sex offenders: An examination of residential locations and neighborhood conditions. Criminal Justice Studies, 19(1), 61–75. doi:10.1080/14786010600615991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, F. P., McShane, M. D., & Dolny, M. H. (2000). Predicting parole absconders. Prison Journal, 80(1), 24–38. doi:10.1177/0032885500080001002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis, G., & Grace, R. (2009). Assessment of community reintegration planning for sex offenders: Poor planning predicts recidivism. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 36(5), 494–512. doi:10.1177/009385480933

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis, G., & Grace, R. C. (2008). The quality of community reintegration planning for child molesters: Effects on sexual recidivism. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 20(2), 218–240. doi:10.1177/1079063208318005

    Google Scholar 

  • Yung, C. R. (2007). Banishment by a thousand laws: Residency restrictions on sex offenders. Washington University Law Review, 85, 101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zandbergen, P., & Hart, T. C. (2006). Reducing housing options for convicted sex offenders: Investigating the impact of residency restriction laws using GIS. Justice Research and Policy, 8(2), 1–24. doi:10.3818/jrp.8.2.2006.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zandbergen, P., & Hart, T. (2009). Availability and spatial distribution of affordable housing in Miami-Dade County and implications of residency restriction zones for registered sex offenders. Retrieved 9 September, 2009 from http://www.aclufl.org/pdfs/SORRStudy.pdf

  • Zandbergen, P., Levenson, J. S., & Hart, T. (2010). Residential proximity to schools and daycares: An empirical analysis of sex offense recidivism. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 37(5), 482–502. doi:10.1177/0093854810363549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zgoba, K. (2011). Residence restriction buffer zones and the banishment of sex offenders: Have we gone one step too far? Criminology and Public Policy, 10(2), 391–400. doi:10.1111/j.1745-9133.2011.00714.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zgoba, K., & Levenson, J. (2012). Failure to register as a predictor of sex offense recidivism: The big bad wolf or a red herring? Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 24, 328–349. doi:10.1177/1079063211421019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zgoba, K., Levenson, J. S., & McKee, T. (2009). Examining the impact of sex offender residence restrictions on housing availability. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 20(1), 91–110. doi:10.1177/0887403408322119

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jill S. Levenson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Levenson, J.S., Vicencio, C.P. (2016). Residence Restrictions. In: Jeglic, E., Calkins, C. (eds) Sexual Violence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44504-5_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44504-5_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-44502-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-44504-5

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics