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Case Studies Found In Mears

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Answer the following questions regarding the case studies found in Mears, chapter 4. You may answer the questions using the mass incarceration case study OR the sex offender laws case study.

What was the assumed problem?

Many new laws regarding sex crimes were developed following the sexual assaults of minors sensationalized in the news from 1993-2005. However, from the late 1970s through 2008, rape and sexual assault rates, as measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey, steadily declined (Mears, 2010, p. 82). This survey, however, does not consider all crimes that are considered sexual crimes. There is no existing data on all the various crimes that could be considered sexual crimes.

Over the past 30 years, according to a new …show more content…

This becomes a complicated question. While established this is a horrific crime that is definitely a social justice issue, but the statistics do not show reliable data that the crimes have increased and warrant the need for more or some existing sex crime laws. Some of the policies that were put in place were done without researched data or theory to back up the need.

Was the problem found in the needs evaluation the same as the assumed problem?
The needs evaluation found that the data does not support that sexual crimes are the cause of an increase in incarceration populations. However, another interesting finding did come out which is factual and statistically based. When former sex offenders were released from prison, they rarely recidivate due to sex crimes, while those not in prison for sex crimes initially make up 87% of the population who subsequently committed a sexual …show more content…

The policies seem to have emerged from incorrect assumptions not only about sex crime trends but also other facets of sex crimes (Mears, 2010, p. 85).

What are the policy-related activities or services that are expected to cause an intended outcome?
Assuming the need is established for new policies, the following activities and services could help to decrease sex crimes:
Increase harsh sentencing
Stricter treatment against sexual offenders
Stricter restrictions on where offenders of sex crimes can live
Monitor and prohibit sexual offenders who live with family members of friends inside a restricted area
More detailed registry including some crimes that may have not been considered before (ie. internet based crimes)
Increase funds necessary to implement the new policies
Increase valid and reliable data collection of sexual crimes committed

What are the assumptions or beliefs that shaped the policy?
The assumption was made that the increase in incarceration population was partially due to sexual crimes. The policies seem to have emerged from incorrect assumptions not only about sex crime trends but also other facets of sex crimes (Mears, 2010, p.

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