Stigmatization of Sex Offenders

An Exploration of Stigma in the Lives of Sex Offenders and Heroin Abusers

“…Prior research has found that convicted sex offenders recognize that they are labeled and stigmatized and indicate that the sex offender label becomes their social identity, superseding other aspects of their identities (Tewksbury 2012). As a result of the formal labeling of sex offenders, the public feels antipathy and fear towards them.…”

An Investigation of Effectiveness of Rehabilitation in the Correctional Centre, Eastern Cape. A Phenomenological Study

“…Rehabilitation is a lifelong process in which prisoners acknowledge their antisocial behaviour and display a considerable level of commitment to reconstructing, asserting and redeveloping themselves to becoming reintegrated to their society after undergoing a psycho-educational programme ( Tewksbury, 2012). It is therefore imperative that the DCS fulfils its mandate, namely; rehabilitation, retribution, deterrence, incapacitation and restoration (Mutingh, 2005;Omar, 2011).…”

“…A classic theory which best describes the effective rehabilitation is called transformed rehabilitation theory. Transformed rehabilitation theory emphasizes that if qualified social workers, psychologists and correctional officers execute their therapeutic services in a non-judgemental manner, as suggested by Rogerian's person-centeredness approach (Schultz & Schultz, 2013), recidivism may be reduced, and discrimination from community towards ex-convicts be decreased (Tewksbury, 2012). Furthermore, prisoners may be assertive as opposed to being shameful, take full responsibility of their lives, acknowledge their wrong-doings, and develop a healthy mature personality which purports that the mature adult subscribes to a unifying philosophy of life, commitment, extension of the self to others, cooperation and tolerance (Deci & Ryan, 2000;Ryckman, 2008).…”

A cross-sectional exploration of household financial reactions and homebuyer awareness of registered sex offenders in a rural, suburban, and urban county.

“…"Normals" (or the public, assuming that they are without a sexual conviction history) hold a greater negative attitude toward RSOs than ex-offenders without sexual convictions (Rade et al, 2016). Correspondently, RSOs have reported feelings of inferiority and ostracism when among the general populace (Burchfield & Mingus, 2008;Evans & Cubellis, 2015;Levenson & Cotter, 2005;Levenson, D'Amora, & Hern, 2007b;Mustaine & Tewksbury, 2011a; see Tewksbury, 2012;Tewksbury & Lees, 2006;Zevitz & Farkas, 2000b). Feelings of contempt against RSOs by the public parallel with Goffman's (1963) thesis of the reactions expressed by "normals" to the presence of stigmatized persons.…”

“…Paradoxically, these acts of discrimination have socially isolated RSOs because their information is broadcasted and induced fear among the general population (Tewksbury, 2012;Zevitz, 2004). These legislative responses are considered antitherapeutic.…”