Facts About the Sex Offender Registry

Every parent takes the safety of the children seriously. The government takes it seriously too and as such, provides a free tool that parents can use to search for registered sex offenders.

The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website available at http://www.nsopr.gov/ is the single government system that links state, territory and tribal sex offender registries. Through one national search site, parents can conduct a real-time search across the individual databases of participating jurisdictions.

Each jurisdiction maintains its own database and has its own rules regarding sex offender registrations. The National Sex Offender Public Registry allows individuals to search records in the jurisdiction provided in the search criteria.

Parents should utilize this tool and confirm that their nanny is not listed because:

  1. It’s free to search. There is no feel to access the database.
  2. It’s available online. The database is online and provides fast access to results.
  3. It links public state, territory in tribal sex offender registries in one place. Parents can search across several states in one place.
  4. Parents can learn if the nanny is a registered sex offender. Most importantly, parents can learn if the nanny is indeed a registered sex offender.
  5. Parents can learn about sex offenders in the nanny’s home. Parents can search by address or town and confirm no sex offenders reside at the same address as the nanny.
  6. It’s a government system. The website is not run by a private party, but is operated by the government.             
  7. Provides parents with jurisdictions to search. Parents can visit the specific jurisdiction of the state they are searching to learn if additional information about a registered offender is available.
  8. It can be searched by name. The search is conducted by name. The search form requires at least a last name and first initial to search.
  9. A list of public registries is available on the site. Parents can link directly to their state’s registry from the national site.
  10. Results are instant. There is no delay in getting results. The searches are conducted in real-time and results are available in seconds.

It’s important to remember when conducting a sexual offender registry search you are only searching the records for registered sex offenders. Each jurisdiction may have their own rules regarding how long and in what jurisdictions a sex offender must be listed. When searching for a nanny candidate and no records are found, it indicates that the candidate is not currently a registered sex offender in the jurisdictions searched.

10 States with the Most Registered Sex Offenders

After the passing of Megan’s Law, the National Sex Offender Registry and its state-level brethren have been an important tool for parents making childcare hiring and relocation decisions. While some of the more populous states in the nation had a higher total number of sex offenders, these ten have the highest concentration per capita than any other states in the union.

These 10 states had the highest density of sexual offenders in 2011.

  1. Florida – There are 57,896 registered sex offenders living in the state of Florida. This translates to 307 per 100,000 citizens, making it one of the states with the highest concentration of convicted sex criminals in the nation.
  2. Washington – Of the 6,830,038 people living in Washington, 20,885 are convicted sex offenders. Per 100,000 citizens, there are 310 people that have been arrested and sentenced for crimes of a sexual nature.
  3. Oregon – With a ratio of 455 sex offenders per 100,000 people, Oregon has the third highest per capita rate of registered sex criminals; there are a total of 17,486 sex offenders currently registered in the state.
  4. South Dakota – Though South Dakota’s total population is a relatively small 824,082, there are 352 registered sex offenders per 100,000 citizens. The total number of registered sex criminals in the state is 2,876.
  5. Minnesota – The 16,375 registered sex offenders in the state of Minnesota bring the per capita number to 308 per 100,000 of the state’s 5,344,861 people.
  6. Wisconsin – 22,055 of Wisconsin’s citizens are registered sex offenders. The number of sex criminals per 100,000 people is 388; the total population is 5,711,767 as of July, 2011.
  7. Michigan – Michigan has the second-highest number of per capita registered sex offenders; of the state’s 9,876,187 people, 47,329 have been convicted of sex crimes. 479 of every 100,000 people currently residing in Michigan is a registered sex offender.
  8. Delaware – Though there are only 907,135 people currently living in Delaware, the state has the dubious honor of being home to the highest concentration of sex offenders in the nation. With 4,557 registered sex criminals, there are 506 per 100,000 people.
  9. Vermont – Another small state with a relatively high concentration of sex offenders, 2,448 of Vermont’s 626,431 citizens are registered sex offenders. There are 391 people per 100,000 that have been convicted of a sexually-related crime in Vermont.
  10. Arkansas – 11,092 of Arkansas citizens are registered sex offenders. With a total population of 2,937,979, there are 380 sex criminals out of every 100,000 person sampling of the population.

These statistics may seem frightening for current or prospective residents and nanny employers of these states. Parents should confirm that their nanny isn’t listed as a registered sex offender prior to ever leaving her alone with the children.

10 States with the Least Registered Sex Offenders

The following 10 states had the lowest concentration of sex offenders in 2011.

  1. Pennsylvania – There are 11,427 sex offenders registered within the state of Pennsylvania. Of the 12,742,886 residents, there are only 90 per 100,000 people. This impressively low number earns Pennsylvania number one spot on the list.
  2. Maryland – Of Maryland’s 5,828,289 citizens, there are 7,629 residents that have been convicted of sex crimes and required to register as a sex offender. That number translates to 132 per 100,000 people.
  3. New Mexico – There are 137 registered sex offenders per 100,000 residents in New Mexico; of the state’s 2,082,224 residents, 2,830 have been convicted of sex crimes and entered into the National Sex Offender Registry.
  4. Rhode Island – The nation’s smallest state also boasts a place in the top five of the states least populated by sex offenders with 1,495 residents that have been convicted of sex crimes. There are currently 1,051,302 people living in the tiny state, bringing the per capita total to 142 per 100,000.
  5. North Carolina – North Carolina currently has a total population of 9,656,401; there are 13,966 sex offenders living within the state’s boundaries. Out of each 100,000 person sampling of the population, 146 have been convicted of sexually motivated crimes.
  6. Connecticut – 3,580,709 people currently live in Connecticut; 5,364 are registered sex offenders. For every 100,000 residents, there are 150 that have been convicted and registered as the perpetrators of sex crimes.
  7. New Jersey – There are 162 registered sex offenders per 100,000 people in New Jersey; this translates to 14,243 of the total population, which is 8,821,155.
  8. Illinois – Of the 12,860,257 people currently residing in Illinois, 21,466 of them are registered sex offenders. Per 100,000 people, there are 167 residents that were convicted and sentenced for sexually related crimes.
  9. Ohio – The state of Ohio has a total population of 11,544,951; 19,461 of these citizens have been arrested for and convicted of sex crimes. 169 per 100,000 Ohio residents are registered sex offenders.
  10. New York – Number ten on the list of states with the fewest sex offenders is home to one of the world’s largest cities; of the staggering 18,998,429 people currently living in New York, 32,994 are registered sex offenders. Per 100,000 people, 170 have been convicted of sex crimes.

Statistics can be useful for decision making purposes, but it’s important for families not to be lulled into a sense of security by finding their state on the list above. It’s still imperative to the safety and well-being of children and their parents to always be cautious and avoid risky behavior when hiring a caregiver.

10 Ways to Use the National Sex Offender Registry

Though California became the first state to create and maintain a sex offender registration program in 1947, the national registry wasn’t created until the 1990′s when, in response to what was known as Megan’s Law, the federal government began to require public notification regarding the whereabouts of certain sex offenders. While this can be a source of very valuable safety information for parents, it should also be used carefully.

Here are 10 of the ways that the National Sex Offender Registry should be used.

  1. As part of a potential childcare provider’s background check. One of the quickest ways to eliminate a potential nanny or babysitter from the pile of resumes is to run their names through your state or local database. Though it’s not likely that a registered offender would apply for a childcare job, it can also do wonders for your peace of mind.
  2. To be aware of possible dangers in your neighborhood.  For many people, neighbors are little more than strangers these days. If you’re concerned about the potential risks in your neighborhood, especially as children begin to exert more independence, it’s a good idea to take a look at the registry in order to know which areas they should steer clear of.
  3. To help you make decisions about a new home. The process of relocating is filled with a seemingly-endless list of choices; if you find yourself torn when it comes to choosing the house itself, the National Sex Offender Registry might provide the tie-breaker you’re looking for.
  4. Determining risks. One of the most important and difficult jobs that a parent faces is assessing and determining the risks in their area. Being well informed about sex offenders in your neighborhood and knowing the nature of their crimes is one of the best ways to do that.
  5. For prevention only. The most important thing that citizens must remember about the National Sex Offender Registry is that it can be used for information and prevention through informed choices only. Any form of vigilantism or retribution is not only a violation of civil liberties, but also the law.
  6. To be aware of risks in an unfamiliar area.  If you’re planning an extended trip or visiting family in an unfamiliar neighborhood, or if you are allowing your child to visit a friend or caregiver’s home a quick glance at the Sex Offender Registry might help to set your mind at ease by allowing you to feel informed and prepared.
  7. To report the address of known offenders.  Knowing for a fact that one of your neighbors is a sex offender but not being able to find them on the registry could indicate a failure to register their new address; in this case, you should report them immediately. However, it’s important to understand that some sex crimes are eligible for removal from the Registry after a period of time.
  8. To report a violation of release requirements.  Often, a sex offender’s requirements of release will be listed while he’s still under probation or parole supervision. If you’re sure that a local offender has violated the terms of that release after verifying them against the Registry, it’s important that you make a report to the proper authorities.
  9. Staying informed about acquaintances and associates.  There are many people that you may know, but perhaps not well. Before allowing these people into your home and around your children, it’s a good idea to err on the side of cautiousness and discreetly check the Sex Offender Registry.
  10. A part of a neighborhood watch. When a sex offender moves into a new neighborhood, their house can often be targeted by vandals or even those interested in vigilante justice. Homeowners that participate in a neighborhood watch program might find it wise to always be aware of any sex offenders that live in the area in order to keep a particularly close eye on their homes for potential trouble.

Educating yourself and ensuring that those who are around your children are not registered sex offenders can bring peace of mind and help you to make informed and educated decisions.

10 Sexual Offenders That Could be Convicted But NOT Registered

Since the creation of the National Sex Offender Registry, many parents have made a habit of periodically checking their neighborhood and surrounding area for potential sexual predators. There are, however, situations that could lead to a convicted sex offender’s lack of inclusion. In these 10 instances, a convicted sexual criminal could be missing from the registry.

  1. Transient or homeless offenders. Though homeless and transient sexual offenders are legally required to update their information, many simply do not. Due to their lifestyle, these people can be very difficult to regulate and, upon leaving the city of their conviction, can effectively drop off the grid in a new location.
  2. Those that have successfully petitioned for Removal. In some situations, certain sexual offenders can petition the court for removal from the National Sex Offender Registry after a specified period of time. The offenders eligible for this removal are among those with the least likelihood of recidivism.
  3. Offenders whose convictions pre-date registration laws. In some places, offenders whose crimes and convictions occurred before the creation of Sex Offender Registries may not have been required to register if they’d maintained a clean arrest record since.
  4. The offense doesn’t require registration.  Because local and state laws can vary wildly, an offense that is considered grounds for registration in one place may not require it in another. Upon relocation, an offenders name may not be placed on the state registry, though it would still be visible on the National Registry.
  5. The offender was a juvenile at the time of conviction. Many juvenile sexual offenders can have their names removed or concealed from the publicly-viewable Sex Offender Registry, similar to the concealment of other offenses committed before legal adulthood.
  6. The offense has been pardoned.  As the number of convictions overturned by DNA and other forensic evidence rises, so does the number of innocent citizens finally finding themselves free of the “sex offender” stigma. In this instance, a person who has been convicted of a sex crime but later pardoned would certainly not appear on the sex offender registry.
  7. Loopholes in state laws. Because the laws regarding sex offender registration can vary so widely, there can be situations in which loopholes on the local or state level allow a convicted sex criminal’s whereabouts to go unreported on the local level.
  8. Those with pornography related offenses.  In some jurisdictions, offenders with pornography-related charges are not required to register. One exception is that in some localities, possession of child pornography does not require registration while possession with intent to distribute or sell does.
  9. Those convicted of prostitution or solicitation. In most cases, people charged with prostitution or solicitation are not required to register, provided that both parties were of legal age. Because these are considered non-violent offenses between consenting adults, they’re only considered sex crimes in the most technical of definitions.
  10. Rehabilitation conditions have been met. On occasion, plea agreements can lead to release conditions that provide offenders with the chance to be considered “rehabilitated,” and thus no longer required to register as a sex offender, upon completion of the terms.

The Sex Offender Registry can be a very valuable tool for protecting your family from violent predators, but it should be used carefully. If you discover a sex offender living in your neighborhood or applying for a nanny position, it’s important to be cautious, but never violent or resorting to vigilante justice. If an individual who is applying for a childcare job is listed in the sex offender registry, parents should contact the jurisdiction in which the candidate is registered to.