“Labeled, Branded, Marginalized, Stigmatized … in the Service of Public Safety”: Challenges of Rural Community Reentry Following a Sex Offense Conviction

Persons who have been convicted of sexual offenses face significant reentry challenges, including restrictions on residency, registration with law enforcement, stigma, and mandated treatment completion. Such challenges can be compounded in rural communities, which face resource shortages and limited access to specialized treatment services. In some rural communities, additional barriers may exist where intersecting regional challenges (e.g., poverty, opioid crisis) meet provider shortages and competing intervention needs. Here, we examined the perspectives and experiences of providers of court-ordered mental health services for justice-involved adults and youth in rural Central and South Central Appalachia, comparing the experiences of those with and without sex offense convictions. Interviews were conducted with 38 providers across seven agencies, and their responses were examined using thematic analysis. Important themes were identified describing reentry experiences of persons convicted of sexual offenses that included: (a) Stigma and community reintegration efforts; (b) rural needs; (c) court interactions; and (d) individual and systemic barriers. Themes and implications for research, clinical practice, and policy are discussed.