TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Contextual influences on the sentencing of individuals convicted of sexual crimes
JO  - Sexual abuse: a journal of research and treatment
A1  - Thompson, Lisa
A1  - Rydberg, Jason
A1  - Cassidy, Michael
A1  - Socia, Kelly M.
SP  - 1079063219852936
EP  - 1079063219852936
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - This study examines effects of court and community contextual factors on sentencing outcomes for individuals convicted of sexual crimes using indicators from two perspectives-focal concerns and populist punitiveness. Sourced from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, the sample includes 9,431 persons convicted of sexual crimes and a precision-matched sample of persons convicted of non-sexual violent crimes for comparison. Based on multilevel hurdle regression models for both incarceration and sentence length decisions, results indicate that individuals convicted of sexual crimes face enhanced sentence severity in judicial districts with smaller courts, increased jail capacity, stronger political competition, and higher religious homogeneity. The results also suggest statistically significant differences between effects for persons convicted of sexual crimes and a matched sample of persons convicted of violent crimes. Overall, results suggest that specific contextual factors have a distinguishable impact on sentencing of individuals convicted of sexual crimes.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1079-0632
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1079063219852936
ID  - ref1
ER  -