NCJ Number
167977
Date Published
1996
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Stemming from a National Summit held on November 24-26, 1996, in Washington, D.C., this report presents recommendations from the Summit to the Office of Justice Programs for managing sex offenders in the community.
Abstract
The recommendations identify targets for assistance in the management of sex offenders in the community. One target for technical assistance is the case team of a treatment provider, a probation or parole officer, local law enforcement officers, and perhaps representatives of a victims' organization. The team operates within a local neighborhood or town where the offenders live and/or work. The team needs substantive assistance on management and treatment strategies, on working together as a team, and on involving and working with the community. Further, the community needs to be educated about sex offenders and about taking care of their own and their children's safety. Another target for assistance is the local policy group, which needs basic education on sex offenders and effective management strategies. State-level policymakers need basic education on sex offenders, their effective management, and the impact of ineffective management and dispositions on the rest of the system. The national associations, coalitions, and organizations need to be educated about sex offenders and their effective management and about the role of their constituencies in that management. The kinds of assistance needed as identified by Summit participants are in three general categories: knowledge development and dissemination, training and technical assistance, and public education and acceptance. Because of the interdependence of all of these efforts, timing is crucial. If probation and parole officers are going to be encouraged to work in a collaborative manner with treatment providers, local police, and victims' groups, then the heads of all of those agencies must understand the value of a collaborative approach. Specific recommendations under the categories of assistance are provided.