ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the effects the sex offender register (SOR) has on the lives of sex offenders, their family members, and ultimately public protection by considering recidivism. The controversies surrounding the SOR are multifaceted and the goal of reducing recidivism is one of those controversies; as noted by S. Maddan and L. Pazzani the idea that sex offenders are more likely to reoffend compared to other types of offenders is disputable. There are existing risk management approaches that address the negative consequences of sex offender registration in terms of the offenders’ ability to reintegrate back into society and preventing further offending while ensuring the protection of the public. As corrective services, including community corrections, have attempted to balance their role of public protection, the civil rights of offenders have been eroded because of attempting to balance the rights of the community with those of the offender.
