The Prevalence of Mental Illness in California Sex Offenders on Parole: A Comparison of Those Who Recidivated with a New Sex Crime versus Those Who Did Not

Abstract

How much of a risk factor is mental illness for sexual reoffending? This study examined a group of sex offenders on parole in the state of California from 2001 to 2008 who were reincarcerated for a sexual crime versus a group of sex offenders on parole from 2001 to 2005 who did not return to prison for any crime or violation. The most recent mental health status was coded from 320 correctional files. Sex offenders who recidivated sexually were much more likely to be mentally ill than sex offenders who did not recidivate while on parole, even when controlling for race, residence/social support, and employment. The implications of this finding are examined and potential policies are considered.

Keywords:

• sex offenders
• mental illness
• risk
• recidivism
• employment
• social support
• housing

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Russell Loving for his help with data collection; Brandi Vigil and Luz Macias for their help with data entry and coding; Nicole Hendrix for her travel coordination, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for their data and information.