Residential Concentrations of Rural Registered Sex Offenders

Abstract

This research employs social disorganization theory to examine the residential locations of registered sex offenders in rural areas. Data was gathered on 728 non-incarcerated registered sex offenders (RSOs) in the Appalachia region of Eastern Kentucky (41 counties total). Census tract data was used to assess the degree of social disorganization of residential locations of RSOs and to compare census tracts with high concentrations of registered sex offenders to the counties in which RSOs reside, the nation as a whole, and census tracts with low concentrations of RSOs. Results show that although there are significant social disorganization indicators present, there are few relationships between RSO residence and increased levels of social disorganization.

A cross-sectional exploration of household financial reactions and homebuyer awareness of registered sex offenders in a rural, suburban, and urban county.

“…The literature has consistently demonstrated that RSOs tend to reside in unfavorable living conditions (Clark & Duwe, 2015;Gordon, 2013;Hipp et al, 2010;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Hughes & Kadleck, 2008;Mustaine et al, 2006aMustaine et al, , 2006b, 2011bSocia, 2011Socia, , 2012aSocia, , 2016Socia & Stamatel, 2012;Suresh et al, 2010;Tewksbury & Mustaine, 2006Tewksbury et al, 2016;Tewksbury et al, 2007). Responses by community members to RSOs in their areas have resulted in disapproval of their presence, as evident of depressed home selling prices (Bian et al, 2013;Caudill et al, 2014;Larsen et al, 2003;Linden & Rockoff, 2008;Navarro & Rabe-Hemp, 2017;Pope, 2008;Wentland et al, 2014;Yeh, 2015).…”

“…Burchfield & Mingus, 2008;however, see Mustaine et al, 2006b; however, see Tewksbury et al, 2007;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Hughes & Kadleck, 2008;Mustaine et al, 2006b; Navarro & Rabe-Hemp, 2017 Poverty a Clark & Duwe, 2015;Craun, 2010;Gordon, 2013; however, see Tewksbury et al, 2007;Huebner et al, 2013;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Hughes & Kadleck, 2008;, Mustaine et al, 2006b; see Agan & Prescott, 2014;Sloas et al, 2012;Suresh et al, 2010;Tewksbury et al, 2016 Renter-occupied housing units a Barnes et al, 2009;Navarro & Rabe-Hemp, 2017 11 Although not operationalized by Craun (2010), it is presumed elderly persons are defined as persons aged 65 years and over.…”

“…Residential mobility (operationalized by year [s] at residence) a However, see Craun, 2010; however, see Mustaine et al, 2006b;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Hughes & Kadleck, 2008;Tewksbury et al, 2007;Yeh, 2015 Vacant housing units a Barnes et al, 2009;Gordon, 2013;Navarro & RabeHemp, 2017;Socia, 2016;Suresh et al, 2010 Population characteristics Bachelor and/or graduate degrees b…”

“…However, see Mustaine et al, 2006a; however, see Tewksbury et al, 2007;Mustaine et al, 2006b;Yeh, 2015 Blacks and/or Hispanics a Burchfield & Mingus, 2008;Craun, 2010;Hipp et al, 2010;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Hughes & Kadleck, 2008;Mustaine et al, 2006b; see Yeh, 2015;Socia & Stamatel, 2012;Suresh et al, 2010;Tewksbury et al, 2007 Elderly persons c Craun (2010) Foreign-born persons a Burchfield & Mingus, 2008;Craun, 2010;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Hughes & Kadleck, 2008 Population under the age of 18/19 b However, see Tewksbury et al, 2007; however, see Mustaine et al, 2006b; Structural determinants Concentrated disadvantage Clark & Duwe, 2015;Hipp et al, 2010;Huebner et al, 2013;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Hughes & Kadleck, 2008;Mustaine & Tewksbury, 2011b;Socia, 2011Socia, , 2012aSocia, , 2016Socia & Stamatel, 2012 Racial/Ethnic heterogeneity Burchfield & Mingus, 2008;Clark & Duwe, 2015;Hipp et al, 2010;Hughes & Burchfield, 2008;Mustaine & Tewksbury, 2011b;Socia, 2011…”

“…A body of literature has also shown that not all environments RSOs inhabited are socially disorganized (Burchfield & Mingus, 2008;Craun, 2010;Huebner et al, 2013;Mustaine et al, 2006aMustaine et al, , 2006bSocia & Stamatel, 2012;Tewksbury & Mustaine, 2006;Tewksbury, Mustaine, & Stengel, 2007). Mixed results may be due to not exploring individual effects of neighborhood characteristics but rather creating neighborhood characteristics to align with the structural dimensions of social disorganization (e.g., concentrated disadvantage), using of larger units of analysis (e.g., census tracts), or the setting explored (e.g., rural).…”