In both the criminal justice system and group treatment settings, evidence-based practices, including risk assessments, are essential for ensuring the safety of individuals and communities while also promoting effective rehabilitation. By employing validated methods and research-supported tools, we can accurately identify the risks posed by individuals involved in the justice system and tailor interventions accordingly. However, the data that most risk assessments may be biased, so judges should have the discretion to make an individualized assessment of what sentence is appropriate based on the circumstances of the case and the person being sentenced. Sentencing and registration requirements should not, and must not, be a one-size-fits-all policy.
Furthermore, in the nearly-three-decades that the sex offense registry has existed, experts have determined the best evidence-based treatment programs that prevent relapse and recidivism for past offenders and prevention programs for those at risk of engaging in criminogenic behaviors. These include the Road to Freedom curriculum by Jill Levenson, Ph.D. & John Morin, Ph.D. and the Facing the Shadow curriculum by Patrick Carnes, Ph.D.
Our Position: Policies Around Sex Offenses Should be Based on Evidence-Based Research and Practices
