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Cited by 640Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual OffendingCriminal Justice and Corrections AnalysisCrime Patterns and Interventions

Sex offender recidivism: a review

Furby, Lita, Weinrott, Mark R., Blackshaw, Lyn·1989·Psychological Bulletin
DOI 10.1037/0033-2909.105.1.3
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Abstract

The increasing recognition of the large number of people victimized by sexual assault has focused considerable attention on methods for deterring its perpetrators. In particular, law enforcement and mental health professions alike seek ways to prevent sex offenders from repeating their criminal behavior. Some evidence suggests sex offenders often continue offending even after incarceration or clinical treatment. However, recidivism rates for sex offenders are unusually hard to establish, owing to gross underreporting of sex crimes. This article presents a comprehensive review of empirical studies of sex offender recidivism. It brings together data from a wide variety of studies on both treated and untreated sex offenders of all types. Because of the variety and gravity of methodological problems in these studies, guidelines are discussed for sample selection and description, study design, criterion assessment, and data analysis. With these methodological principles in mind, the results of some 42 studies are examined for what they can tell us about sex offender recidivism and efforts to reduce it.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-2909.105.1.3

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1 of 1 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Furby et al, in one of the first major reviews of sex offender recidivism, concluded that there was little evidence for any intervention for sex offenders.

    “Furby et al, in one of the first major reviews of sex offender recividism, concluded that there was little evidence for any intervention for sex offenders (Furby 1989).”

    From Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (2015) · cites this paper as Furby 1989

  • Prior major reviews into the treatment of sexual offending have arrived at mixed conclusions; some claim interventions are effective in reducing recidivism and others the reverse.

    “These have arrived at mixed conclusions; some claiming that interventions are effective in reducing recidivism and others the reverse.”

    From Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (2015) · cites this paper as Furby 1989

  • Furby, Weinrott, and Blackshaw concluded that treatment did not reduce recidivism rates in sex offenders.

    “Furby, Weinrott, and Blackshaw concluded that treatment did not reduce recidivism rates in sex offenders (Furby 1989).”

    From Pharmacological interventions for those who have sexually offended or are at risk of offending (2015) · cites this paper as Furby 1989

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Authors
Furby, L., Weinrott, M. R., & Blackshaw, L.
Affiliations
Eugene Research Institute (US)
Venue
Psychological Bulletin
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1989-01
Volume
105
Issue
1
Pages
3-30
ISSN
  • 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1455
DOI
10.1037/0033-2909.105.1.3
OpenAlex
W2066981371
Cited by
640
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 20
FWCI
25.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
Keywords
sex offender recidivism, sexual assault, recidivism measurement, offender treatment, offender rehabilitation, recidivism prevention, sample selection, research design
MeSH terms
Criminal Law, Humans, Male, Paraphilic Disorders, Psychotherapy, Recurrence, Research Design, Sex Offenses

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