NCJ Number
226804
Date Published
2007
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This report to the Iowa General Assembly by the Sex Offender Treatment and Supervision Task Force focuses on methods for updating the Sex Offender Registry; researching and recommending best practices for sex offender treatment; studying risk-assessment tools; evaluating the impact of electronic monitoring; and assessing the impact of the imposition of special sentences.
Abstract
Three of the Task Force recommendations pertain to the broadening of the Task Force’s mandates and the inclusion on the Task Force of a representative from the Judicial Branch’s Juvenile Court Services Office. Recommendations also address the treatment of sex offenders in Iowa. One recommendation is that individual practitioners who treat sex offenders should either be licensed or certified by the State in order to participate in State-ordered or reimbursed sex offender treatment; certification/licensure requirements should be based on research and the adoption of recognized best practices. The Task Force also recommends that all treatment programs for sex offenders be regularly evaluated in order to determine outcomes for the individuals treated. Another treatment recommendation is that all approaches to the intervention and treatment of sex offenders be based upon sound methodologies that protect the safety of victims and the community. Recommendations pertinent to the Sex Offender Registry include the establishment of a secure Web site for sheriffs to use in posting sex offender information for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to access and review. The Task Force has approved a plan to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic monitoring with sex offenders. An 18-item bibliography and appended questionnaire for a survey of sex offender treatment programs/providers, survey results, and Task Force enabling legislation