Catch Me If You Can

Abstract

The presumed dangers presented by sex offenders who have absconded from authorities have played a prominent role in public discourse surrounding state and federal sex offender management policy. The current study is the first to empirically investigate the characteristics of absconded sex offenders and explore how this group compares to other groups of sex offenders. Utilizing data from the Florida sex offender registry (N = 23,557), this exploratory study compares the characteristics and risk factors of absconders with those of compliant and noncompliant (nonabsconding) registrants as well as with those with convictions for failure to register (FTR). Absconders, as a group, were less likely than compliant registrants to be listed as predators, and less likely than both compliants and noncompliants to have a minor victim or to be a repeat sex offender. Absconders were also least likely to have a prior FTR conviction, but those with a previous FTR conviction were more likely to abscond from registration than probation. The findings fail to support the hypothesis that fugitive sex offenders are more sexually dangerous (especially to children), and suggest a multitude of explanations for absconding.

Where for Art Thou? Transient Sex Offenders and Residence Restrictions

“…When researchers assessed the impact of transience on registration compliance in Florida, they found that transients were more likely to become non-compliant, but not to abscond (Levenson, Ackerman, & Harris, 2013). When the RSOs did abscond, they were much more likely to do so from registration than from probation, suggesting that once out from under the watchful eye of probation officers, some transients disappear from their last known "address," perhaps willing to risk arrest in exchange for more civilized accommodations in the home of a friend or relative.…”

“…In Florida, where residential restrictions render over 95% of residential dwellings off-limits for sex offenders in major metropolitan areas (Zandbergen & Hart, 2006, 2009), several homeless colonies have emerged around the state, and sex offenders who are forced to reside outdoors are instructed to register with law enforcement agents as “transient.” When researchers assessed the impact of transience on registration compliance in Florida, they found that transients were more likely to become non-compliant, but not to abscond (Levenson, Ackerman, & Harris, 2013). When the RSOs did abscond, they were much more likely to do so from registration than from probation, suggesting that once out from under the watchful eye of probation officers, some transients disappear from their last known “address,” perhaps willing to risk arrest in exchange for more civilized accommodations in the home of a friend or relative.…”

Hidden challenges: Sex offenders legislated into homelessness

“…Policies that legislate offenders into homelessness undermine community safety by diminishing the chance for a successful reintegration. Moreover, transient sex offenders are more likely to abscond from registration, suggesting that housing restrictions may undermine the very purpose of registries (Levenson, Ackerman, & Harris, 2013). SORR laws can also cause sex offenders to cluster in the few locations where compliant housing is available, resulting in a disproportionate number of sex offenders in a small geographical area and leading to heightened concerns for the welfare of children living in such neighborhoods (Broward County Commission, 2009;FATSA, 2015;Socia, 2013).…”

Advances in Psychology and Law

“…Some even deliberately falsify their addresses or abscond from registration entirely, just so that they can fi nd a place to live (Levenson, Ackerman, & Harris, 2013 ;Socia et al, 2014 ). In this way, residence restriction may actually lower the effi cacy of other, already tenuous, post-incarceration sex offender sanctions, while lacking any established effectiveness of its own.…”