Chapter 8 examines the disconnect between the etiology of sexual offending and the mechanics of SORN laws. Using what is known about sexual offending and the psychology of individuals who commit sex crimes, the chapter argues that registration and notification (as well as residence restrictions) are destined to be ineffective if not counterproductive. The discussion begins with an overview of the diverse etiology of sexual offending. A range of biological, psychological, and social factors can account for the commission of a sexual offense, and the specific set of causes behind an individual’s offending shape the recidivism risk they pose postconviction. The chapter refutes many common assumptions underlying SORN laws. First-time offenders who are well-known to their victims account for the majority of sex offenses. This is out of step with the “stranger danger” concept motivating SORN laws. Further, research establishes that recidivism risk diminishes over time and can be addressed through treatment. Finally, the chapter shows how SORN laws may increase recidivism risk. The stigmatization and isolation they produce, interacting with existing risk factors, may undermine protective factors and interfere with treatment gains. It argues that evidence-based, targeted laws would be more efficient and effective than current SORN laws.

In the United States, deep, persistent disparities in higher education outcomes exist by race/ethnicity and income. Inequities in college and university enrolment by race and ethnicity have narrowed, but access to economic opportunity is increasingly determined by programme of study and completion of recognised credentials, where serious disparities remain. Stratification of higher education opportunity by race and ethnicity and by income has been on the rise, exacerbating group differences in outcomes: elite, selective colleges are becoming less diverse while African American and Latino students are increasingly concentrated in non-selective two- and four-year institutions. Despite these dispiriting trends, there are reasons for optimism. Researchers and practitioners have made significant progress in testing and identifying institutional practices that can improve outcomes for students from marginalised populations. In addition, public and policymaker concerns about college cost, student debt and institutional performance are creating new openings for consideration of policies that can mitigate current trends.