NCJ Number
159740
Date Published
1996
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video lecture and brief question-and-answer period focus on the findings of field research regarding how various jurisdictions are supervising sex offenders in the community on parole.
Abstract
The findings are based on a telephone survey of 700 probation and parole supervisors and site visits to 13 jurisdictions in six States. The lecture first identifies why sex offenders are different from other offenders and cannot, therefore, be supervised and contained with the same procedures applied to other offenders. Their sexual preferences are stable and life-long and they tend to be highly manipulative and secretive. The proposed approach for managing such offenders, based on field research findings, is to set limits for containment and intervention before a sex offender can move very far into the cycle of offending. This involves identifying feelings and thoughts likely to result in injurious actions, such that the actions are prevented. This requires collaboration among the probation/parole officer, the sex-offender treatment provider, and a polygrapher. This team should be able to identify when the offender is at risk for repeating a sexual offense. The lecturer briefly discusses each of some 20 issues that pertain to the management of sex offenders in the community. These include the protection of victims and the community, the use of multiple methods for offender monitoring, the implementation of practices consistent with policy, immediate sanctions for noncompliance, and the use of plea agreements that do not reinforce denial or undermine accountability. Particular attention is given to specialized training for supervising officers who manage sex offenders. Suggested training topics are outlined.