Sexual sadism, psychopathy, and recidivism in juvenile sexual murderers

Juvenile sexual homicide is rare, occurring just 10-15 times a year in the United States. No study addressing how convicted juvenile sexual murderers adjust upon reentering the community exists. A safety concern, given this research gap, is the social movement afoot to abolish life sentences for juvenile offenders. If successful, then more of these offenders will be released back into society. This descriptive study examined: (1) the clinical findings and legal outcomes of 22 sexually homicidal juveniles following arrest; and (2) the relationship between post-incarceration community adjustment and the variables of sexual sadism and psychopathy. All 22 offenders were tried in adult court-59% received one or more life sentences. Conduct disorder, personality disorders, sexual sadism, and psychopathic traits were prevalent. Mean intelligence quotient was 103. Follow-up community recidivism data was available for 11 cases: five (45%) remained free of further convictions for an average of 8.9 years, whereas six (55%) recidivated 4.4 years later on average. Recidivators had higher Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised scores. Three of the six recidivators survived an average of 5.3 years before committing additional sexually homicidal acts (all three had sexual sadism). Thus, 27% of the follow-up group evolved into serial sexual murderers. The remaining three recidivators committed non-sexual offences. These findings have relevance to criminal investigations, courtroom sentencing, and treatment strategies. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.