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LIFETIME SEX OFFENDER RECIDIVISM: A 25-YEAR FOLLOR-UP STUDY
Ron Langevin, Suzanne Curnoe, Paul Feroroff, Renee Bennett, Mara Langevin, Cheryl Peever, Rick Pettica, and Shameen Sandhu
Department of Psychiatry
University of Toronto
A sample of 320 sex offenders and 31 violent non-sex offenders, seen for psychiatric assessment between 1966 and 1974, were compared retrospectively on life time recidivism rates to 1999 over a minimum of 25 years. A number of criteria and data sources were used, with the RCMP records and hospital records being the best sources, albeit the RCMP had records only for 54.1% of the cases. Approximately three-in-five offenders recidivated using sex re-offense charges or convictions or court appearances as criteria, but this increased to more than four-in-five recidivating when all offenses and/or undetected sex crimes were included in the analysis. Group differences in recidivism were noteworthy with child sexual abusers and exhibitionists most likely to recidivate and incest offenders least likely. Time at large and time incarcerated played a relatively minor role overall in results, except in the case of sexual aggressives against adult females, courtship disordered and violent offenders. The typical known criminal career spanned almost two decades indicating that sex offense recidivism remained a problem over a significant part of the offenders' adult lives.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY DELINQUENCY: CAN CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL CLIMATES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Jane B. Sprott
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
University of Guelph
Previous research has found that school and classroom climates have important effects on children's perceptions and behaviours. More specifically, there are thought to be two types of support provided (emotional and instrumental) at the level of the classroom and the school. Emotional support within the classroom has been found to be most important for some of the higher risk children. There has, however, been little research using these concepts with outcomes such as delinquency. Therefore, using two years of the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, this study investigates the role of classroom and school climates on the development of early violence and property offending. Results revealed that an emotionally supportive classroom when these children were age 10 to 13 was related to lower levels of violence two years later when they were age 12 to 15. In addition, a classroom that focused on academics (instrumental support) was predictive of lowered property offending. Interpretations and policy implications are discussed.
COMPARING AMERICAN AND CANADIAN LOCAL TELEVISION CRIME STORIES: A CONTENT ANALYSIS
Kenneth Dowler
Department of Criminology and Contemporary Studies
Wilfrid Laurier University - Brantford
Crime is a staple for local television newscasts. However, there is debate regarding the differences between Canadian and American crime coverage on local television broadcasts. The purpose of this study is to explore differences or similarities between Canadian and American local crime coverage. The results suggest that there is no difference in the type of crimes that are presented on Canadian and American newscasts. However, multivariate analysis reveal that sensational stories, live stories and stories that report firearms are more likely to occur in American markets. Conversely, national stories and lead stories are more likely to occur in Canadian markets. To provide context, the propaganda model developed in Herman and Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent is applied. At the local level, American and Canadian newsmakers engage in selective news construction in an attempt to appease owners/advertisers and uphold traditional attitudes toward criminality and justice.
