Crime Control Theater: Public (Mis)Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Sex Offender Residence Restrictions

Some crime control policies are ineffective, yet still draw substantial public support. Such laws, labeled "crime control theater" (CCT), derive their unquestioned public support from moral panics involving mythic narratives, yet little research has actually linked these criteria to suppor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology, public policy, and law public policy, and law, 2016-11, Vol.22 (4), p.362-374
Main Authors: Budd, Kristen M., Mancini, Christina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Criminal Justice
Criminal Offenders
Female
Human
Living Arrangements
Male
Morality
Panic
Public Opinion
Sex Offenses
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Summary:Some crime control policies are ineffective, yet still draw substantial public support. Such laws, labeled "crime control theater" (CCT), derive their unquestioned public support from moral panics involving mythic narratives, yet little research has actually linked these criteria to support for a theater law. This study draws on the concept of CCT to better understand public perceptions of sex offender residence restrictions. Specifically, it evaluates what community member beliefs and or characteristics increase the likelihood that residence restrictions will be perceived as an effective law to decrease sex crime recidivism. Drawing on data from a national random sample of Americans, logistic regression is used to analyze the factors associated with this CCT law. Results indicate that if community members are Catholic, are a parent of a minor child, and believe in stranger danger, they are more likely to believe that residence restrictions are effective in reducing sex crime recidivism. Results are discussed in relation to residence restrictions as a CCT law, including the deleterious effects of residence restrictions and possible pathways to prevent the persistence of this law.
ISSN:1076-8971
1939-1528
DOI:10.1037/law0000083