Information Sharing and the Role of Sex Offender Registration and Notification, United States, 2009-2017 (ICPSR 37483)
Version Date: Aug 16, 2021 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
Andrew J. Harris, University of Massachusetts-Lowell;
Kimberly Kras, San Diego State University;
Christopher Lobanov-Rostovsky, Fox Valley Technical College;
Qurat Ann, University of Massachusetts-Lowell
https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR37483.v1
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
This study was conducted to evaluate and better improve inter-jurisdictional consistency and coordination of SORN (sex offender registration and notification) systems operating within the United States under SORNA (the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act). The study examined the progress that has been made toward SORNA's goals as envisioned in 2006, with a particular emphasis on changes in information sharing over that period. The study utilized a mixed-method approach, including nationwide analyses of official data and a series of in-depth state case studies featuring interviews with 152 federal, state, and local personnel involved in various aspects of SORN operations and policy development across 10 states. Specific areas of focus included: 1) the nature, extent, and dynamics of state implementation of SORNA requirements; 2) the scope and evolution of information-sharing practices within the states, including both areas of success and challenge; and 3) the impacts of federal initiatives, including the expanded role of the US Marshal Service and information technology initiatives, on the achievement of SORNA's goals.
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State
Restrictions View help for Restrictions
This data collection may not be used for any purpose other than statistical reporting and analysis. Use of these data to learn the identity of any person or establishment is prohibited. To protect respondent privacy, some of the data files in this collection are restricted from general dissemination. To obtain these restricted files, researchers must agree to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Data Use Agreement.
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Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes
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This collection excludes the qualitative data from this release. However, this collection will be enhanced to include qualitative data in the future.
Study Purpose View help for Study Purpose
The purpose of this study was to see how effective the inter-jurisdictional consistency and coordination of SORN (sex offender registration and notification) systems operating within the United States under SORNA (The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act). The present study examined the progress that has been made toward SORNA's goals as envisioned in 2006, with a particular emphasis on changes in information sharing over that period.
Study Design View help for Study Design
Phase 1 of this mixed study approach consisted of official data analyses. In this stage both federal resources and systems were analyzed after SORNA was established. For example, the SEP or SORNA Exchange Portal was created in 2008 to facilitate the exchange of information between jurisdictions in cases where a registered sex offender indicates an intention to relocate on either a temporary or permanent basis. Another way resources were analyzed was in a nationwide assessment of SORNA standard implementation where the team looked at state adherence to the standards in 50 states. The data source was a series of detailed compliance letters issued by the SMART (Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking) Office following its review of implementation packets submitted by state agencies between 2009 though 2017. Each letter was assigned to two research assistants who coded whether the state complied with the 14 standards of SORNA standards.
The second part of the study consisted of interviews with federal stakeholders to gain a deeper perspective on the implementation of SORN policies. A series of structured focus groups were conducted in 2016 and 2018 with probation and parole professionals explored the nature of interactions with state sex offender registration and notification systems.
Sample View help for Sample
All 50 U.S. states are included in the sample for the quantitative data.
Time Method View help for Time Method
Universe View help for Universe
Federal, state, and local personnel involved in various aspects of SORN (Sex Offender Registration and Notification) operations.
Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation
Data Source View help for Data Source
U.S. Department of Justice SMART Office, 2016
Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)
Mode of Data Collection View help for Mode of Data Collection
Description of Variables View help for Description of Variables
In the SI Standards Dataset, there are fifteen variables compromised of state and fourteen sections. These fourteen sections are the Summary of SORNA standard areas. For example, section 1 is called "immediate transfer of information" which is used to measure if, within a specific state, the offender's information is released to other jurisdictions once he/she is registered.
Response Rates View help for Response Rates
Not applicable.
Presence of Common Scales View help for Presence of Common Scales
None.
HideOriginal Release Date View help for Original Release Date
2021-08-16
Version History View help for Version History
2021-08-16 ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection:
- Performed consistency checks.
- Checked for undocumented or out-of-range codes.
Notes
The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.
One or more files in this data collection have special restrictions. Restricted data files are not available for direct download from the website; click on the Restricted Data button to learn more.