The berbiage is confusing, as laws being offender amended sex of his buddies call if probation, but there is no probation for a sex offender, only post release. The sex offender registration statutes did not become effective until William Keith Hyatt, Jr. Public Perceptions about Sex Offenders and Community Protection Policies, Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy The purpose of this study was to examine public perceptions about sex offenders and community protection policies.