Date of Award
6-2001
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Dr. Zoann Snyder
Second Advisor
Dr. Ronald Kramer
Third Advisor
Dr. David Hartmann
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study provides an analysis of a criminal justice agency's policy and practice to examine if they reflect specific objectives of Indiana registry and notification laws. Prior research suggests that for objectives of sex offender registry and notification laws to be realized, they be reflected system-wide, and in policies and practices of criminal justice agencies. The agency selected for this study is the Indiana Department of Correction. A combination of policy and statistical analysis, interviews with key agency personnel, and compilation of agency documents provides a triangulated approach to addressing this inquiry.
This study found that while some policies and practices reflected the objectives of protecting the community and positively effecting offender behavior, they were not consistently found. In addition, while some practices in the agency, such as those found in social services, were intended to produce positive change in offender behavior, there was no system-wide policy standardizing those practices. This study also indicated that several policies and practices were found to have a potentially negative effect upon community protection.
Recommended Citation
Ralston, Janine A., "Examining Corrections Policy and Practice in Response to in Diana's Zachary's Law: A Regional Analysis" (2001). Masters Theses. 4118.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4118