Author(s):
Rita Steffes-enn

Institution:
Institut für deliktbezogene Täterarbeit– IDT

Title:
Guilt and satisfaction – The case of Karl D.: Reflexions concerning the handling of released sexual offenders and a research for alternatives

Abstract:
Page 68-79

Since enactment of a new law for containment of sexual assaults and other felonies in 1998 the law for the preventive detention was changed already seven times until now. A reform in 2004 created the option for decision to sentence offenders with a high-risk for relapse to preventive detention even when they were already imprisoned. But a lot of cases couldn’t overcome the high hurdles of the law, as for example the case of Karl D.: a high-risk sexual offender with sadistic features. After his release from a prison in Bavaria he lived in Nordrhein-Westphalia with his brother’s family since 2009. But the new residence of Karl D. was made public by the district administrator. The police observed Karl D. day and night (24/7) and many citizens in the community demonstrated against his presence. This case started a large medial campaign in Germany. The following essay shows the case of Karl D. as an example for case management with high-risk-offenders and contains a controversial debate out of a scientific view in terms of criminology.