NCJ Number
173469
Journal
Compiler Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: July 1997 Pages: 7-9
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Managing sex offenders has become a significant public safety issue in Illinois; even though more convicted sex offenders are under some form of community supervision than behind bars in Illinois, the State has not adopted uniform caseload standards for sentencing and managing them.
Abstract
In response, the Cook County Adult Probation Department (CCAPD) and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts developed a specialized treatment and supervision program for sex offenders on probation. The Adult Sex Offender Program (ASOP) manages sex offenders sentenced to probation for victimizing children and adolescents. Since March 1997, the program has accepted offenders convicted of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member. The CCAPD and the Cook County State Attorney's Office earmark eligible cases at the preliminary hearing stage and work with judges to ensure the most appropriate sex offenders receive treatment. Upon sentencing, sex offenders must comply with the ASOP's extensive rules, which include living away from the victim, staying away from the victim at all times, and having no contact with anyone under 18 years of age. Additionally, sex offenders must personally meet with their probation officers at least 3 times a week, adhere to a court- ordered curfew, submit to drug and polygraph testing, allow probation officers to search them and their residences and cars, undergo individual and group counseling for at least 2 years, and participate in a court-approved counseling plan for 2 additional years. ASOP officers try to gauge the progress of sex offenders by asking them very personal questions. Although probation sentences are typically 2 years, many experts believe a 4-year program like that mandated by the ASOP is essential in trying to change the behavior of sex offenders. An evaluation of the program has yet to be conducted. 2 photographs