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Sentencing high-risk sex offenders: Policy and Legislation

Harrison, Karen

Authors

Karen Harrison



Contributors

Teela Sanders
Editor

Abstract

This essay considers sex offender legislation in a number of countries, including England and Wales, Germany, and the United States, and details sex offender sentencing provisions in various systems. It evaluates the policies behind these laws. The essay deals with some key contemporary questions in relation to high-risk sex offending. Are policies being driven by populist punitiveness and an agenda based on public protection and preventive detention? Or are more welfare-driven goals taken into account? Particular sentences such as mandatory life and other forms of indeterminate sentencing, such as civil commitment, are evaluated and their use and efficacy considered. Whether such policies are lawful and also ethically acceptable is also evaluated.

Citation

Harrison, K. (2017). Sentencing high-risk sex offenders: Policy and Legislation. In T. Sanders (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Sex Offenders and Sex Offences (327-343). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190213633.013.19

Online Publication Date Jul 6, 2017
Publication Date Jul 6, 2017
Deposit Date May 16, 2019
Pages 327-343
Series Title Oxford handbooks in criminology and criminal justice
Book Title The Oxford Handbook of Sex Offenders and Sex Offences
ISBN 9780190213633
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190213633.013.19
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1791131
Publisher URL https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190213633.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190213633-e-19