In this study the authors report on an investigation comparing the recidivism and other variables of two similar offender populations in a western Pennsylvania county. The two groups were comparable in offense type, size (N ¼ 63 for each) and other variables such as sex, race and age range. One group represented offenders who received a sentence that included incarceration, whereas the treatment group offenders were sentenced to some form of day reporting and other intermediate punishment measures. In addition, the authors investigated recidivism within 36 months of the sentence, with recidivism qualified as probationary violations as well as rearrests. Results indicate that day reporting sentencing not only saved the county incarceration costs, but also yielded a lower recidivism rate to a statistically significant degree. Additional research is needed to further clarify and test the efficacy of day reporting as an intermediate sentencing option.Day reporting centers (DRCs) represent a sentencing strategy aimed at supplementing probation with a targeted range of treatment options and avoid the costs and crowding problems of incarceration for nonviolent (but often repetitive) offenders. Like other intermediate punishment initiatives such as house arrest and intensive supervision, the DRC model is

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Sex trafficking is often a concern in international communities. However, sex trafficking victims do not always cross international boarders; these victims can be trafficked within their own countries. The purpose of the study is to examine the perceptions of law enforcement agents experienced in investigations of prostitution and sex trafficking incidents. Qualitative data were collected by interviewing law enforcement agents along the east coast region of the United States. An analysis of the interview data uncovered a series of themes which include desire for money, drug activity, lack of awareness, and varying tolerance levels. The research results were applied to the framework of routine activity theory (Cohen &Felson, 1979). It was found that the three elements (motivated offenders, suitable targets, and absence of a capable guardian) of the theory were well applied to describe sex trafficking activity. Important future research implications as well as policy implications were discussed.