NCJ Number
196371
Journal
Topics in Community Corrections Dated: 2001 Pages: 13-17
Date Published
2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article addresses the question of what is being done in Houston with the resources already available and how they could be used more efficiently to manage the population of 1,400 adult sex offenders with 29 police officers and 37 criminal courts.
Abstract
A centralized sex offender unit was established in 1997 in downtown Houston to respond to the increasing, unfunded mandates coming from legislative sessions to probation departments and law enforcement agencies across Texas. An Interagency Coordinating Council on Sex Offenders was established and composed of 35 to 40 representatives of agencies and organizations in Harris County Texas that interfaced with sex offenders. The goal of this group is to improve coordination, resource utilization, and public understanding of sex offender supervision and management. It meets monthly to collaborate in planning how to manage the increasingly highly visible responsibilities of law enforcement related to sex offenders. Suggestions are offered to the field in how to establish successful partnerships. Major topics include defining the vision, mission, and goals; identifying stakeholders and inviting them to participate; preparing and organizing information including a press packet; scheduling and facilitating meetings using an experienced facilitator; identifying priorities and establishing subcommittees; providing technical support as needed; publicizing the work of the council in newspapers, radio stations, television interviews, and public speaking engagements; seeking multiple sources of funding and resources, including a grant collaboration team; taking advantage of training and technical assistance opportunities; getting involved in the legislative process; keeping the momentum going by addressing the needs of council members with recognition of their work, inclusion of members in media events, providing speakers on the latest trends, celebrating accomplishments, and publishing articles; applying for grant funding; and establishing a speaker's bureau from the council membership. Some pitfalls to avoid are discussed, such as being rigidly bound to initial concepts and ideas or one approach, not providing bilingual speakers at all press conferences, establishing subcommittees that are not inclusive of representatives from different agencies, not addressing intentions overtly, and leaving non-council-member stakeholders out of the loop. The article concludes with five references for further reading.