The penal system in America sees many returning guests due to a habitual relapse into crime. This is called recidivism. Commonly, the purpose behind the high recidivism rate in this country is lack of rehabilitation or purposely getting incarcerated because life is just better on the inside. When it comes to sex offenders in Maine, they seem to learn their lesson.

In a study conducted between 2004 and 2006, between 3 and 4% of sex criminals found themselves behind bars for a second time within 3 years after their release. Compare this to the 21% of returning criminals with charges of a different nature.

However, these numbers only ring true for those re-caught and re-convicted. There is evidence that the true act of recidivism, the actual commission of the crime, is much higher. University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School of Public Service’s research associate Mark Rubin says “There’s a perception that sex offenders recidivate at a higher rate than other criminals, but there’s really no data to support that theory.” This could mean that every sex criminal is rehabilitated and corrected after one incarceration. This could also mean the opposite.

Sex crimes are social, community involved crimes. They are very personal and very public. They can take years of money, disruption and state appointed rehabilitation. Sex offenders can be and usually are intelligent and social ept meaning that if they did get caught the first time, they have learned from their mistakes…from a legal standpoint. They have been through the system so they know what not to do.

Here is a quote from childluresprevention.com ‘Interviews guaranteeing complete confidentiality and immunity from prosecution, conducted by Emory University psychiatrist Dr. Gene Abel, uncovered that:

• Male offenders who abused girls had an average of 52 victims each.
• Men who molested boys had an astonishing average of 150 victims each.
• Only 3% of these crimes had ever been detected’

Sex offenders in Maine may have it easier than other states. In some states, there is little distinction between the sex criminal above and the first and last time offender. Maine catagorizes the types and offers therapy based on their individual history. “Some sex offenders may only commit one sex crime their entire life; others may commit hundreds of sex crime.” says Dr. Joe Fitzpatrick, the clinical director for the Corrections Department at the University. “You can’t put them all into one box.”

If you are a repeat sex offender or have been accused of sexual misconduct in Maine, contact Smith Law Offices.

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