Restorative Justice Programs,Gender, and Recidivism

Restorative justice programs, which attempt to reintegrate offenders into society by building and strengthening interpersonal relationships, may provide the juvenile justice system with an effective option for female offenders. If women and men have different values, and women value connections with others while men value independence and autonomy [Gilligan, C. (1982). In A Different Voice. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press], then programs that explicitly focus on strengthening social bonds may be compatible with the value orientation of women. However, research on the operation of the juvenile justice system has noted a history of gender bias, as traditional notions of gender roles were reinforced by juvenile justice system professionals. While restorative justice programs may be effective in reducing recidivism among female offenders, at the same time, the informal nature of these programs may lead to the reinforcement of traditional gender roles.     

Recidivism Among Child Sexual Abusers: Initial Results of a 13-Year Longitudinal Random Sample

In the initial analysis of data from a random sample of all those charged with child sexual abuse in Idaho over a 13-year period, only one predictive variable was found that related to recidivism of those convicted. Variables such as ethnicity, relationship, gender, and age differences did not show a significant or even large association with recidivism. The only variable that seemed to show both a significant and almost moderate association to recidivism was the Risk Assessment in the Sex Offender Evaluation reoffense. Comparisons were made to prior research as well as a discussion of implications of the sex offender evaluation for the legal process. Finally, a call for the continued need for further research is discussed.     

Women Reentering the Community: Understanding Addiction and Trauma-Related Characteristics of Recidivism

Women represent 26% of those arrested for serious crimes; many have posttraumatic stress and co-occurring substance use disorders, which may influence recidivism. This study examined 57 women residing in a community re-entry program after exiting prison. Participants completed the Trauma Symptom Inventory and Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory. A discriminant function analysis accounted for 34% of between-group variability and provided a profile of women who recidivated. Women who recidivated had greater alcohol dependence and lower rates of sexual dysfunction and sexual concerns. Practitioners should consider potential links between substance abuse, trauma, and sexual behavior in treatment settings.     

我国内地与港澳台地区普通累犯制度比较研究

我国作为统一的多法域国家,港澳台地区的累犯制度和内地的普通累犯制度各有特色。这种差异不仅反映在普通累犯的立法模式上,而且在普通累犯成立条件的罪量、罪质、时间间隔、主体、跨法域犯罪、法律后果等方面也存在很大不同。我国内地刑法普通累犯制度应该定位于人身危险性的根基之上,以"行为人累犯"为中心,单位主体和过失犯罪可以有限成立普通累犯;普通累犯的处罚原则应该以人身危险性为变动曲线,有条件地适用假释。