NCJ Number
197913
Date Published
May 1999
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report provides data and information on Phase I of a two-phase analysis of Texas' parole supervision of sex offenders; this phase focuses on process issues within the Parole Division.
Abstract
The Specialized Programs Section of the Parole Division is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Sex Offender Treatment Program. Generally, offenders are identified as sex offenders if their current offense is a sex offense, if they have a prior sexual offense, or if they admit to participating in criminal sexual behavior. Overall, the adult criminal justice system is responsible for supervising at least 38,650 felony sex offenders, or 9.7 percent of the felony population. Currently, there are 115 sex offender officers managing the sex offender population under parole supervision. Specialized programs for sex offenders are available in each district parole office. Sex offenders remain on the sex offender caseload for the duration of their supervision period. The total number of sex offenders participating in a specialized caseload or on sex offender caseloads as of September 1998 was 3,942. Of this number, 3,543 were on regular sex offender caseloads, and the remaining 399 were on super-intensive caseloads. The proportion of sex offenders who were receiving treatment and participating in some form of specialized treatment as of August 31, 1998, was 93 percent. The Parole Division contracts with private sex offender therapists to provide treatment. In order to review supervision techniques by parole officers in the field, seven Quality Assurance Reviews were conducted from April 1997 through June 1998, in San Antonio, El Paso, Austin, Houston, Fort Worth, and Dallas. The purpose of these reviews was to determine supervision techniques. The reviews addressed communication issues, contact/observations issues, and administrative/records/policy concerns. A lack of resources in some rural areas was indicated, and the communication between parole officers and treatment therapists was consistently noted as requiring improvement. Noted as positive supervision enhancement tools were mandatory treatment programs, offender registration, cooperation with law enforcement, polygraph testing, frequent contacts with a therapist, and unscheduled visits. Officer surveys suggest changes in contract standards, the need for funding for plethysmograph and polygraph testing, officer training for new employees, increasing funds to assist offenders with testing, counseling, and smaller caseloads. 3 figures, notes, glossary, and methodology description