Why do we need to talk about managing sex offenders in our communities?
People who commit sexual assaults, whether they have been convicted of these offenses or not, live in our communities! Increasing community safety means knowing that sex offenders reside in the community and understanding how they need to be managed.
Research reveals that most sex offenders are not under correctional supervision. That is, the majority of those individuals who sexually abuse are not identified and processed through the criminal justice system. Rather, they are generally known only by their victims and a few others who elect not to report the offenses. It is important to be just as concerned about the sex offenders we do not know about as those we do.
Sex offenders can never be cured, but with specialized treatment and supervision, some sex offenders can be safely managed in the community.
Most sex offenders who are incarcerated will be released into the community eventually. Therefore, all those involved in the management of these offenders must work together in the effort to make effective and responsible decisions concerning the successful management of sex offenders in the community.
We know that a portion of sex offenders will be under some form of community supervision. It is prudent to assure that appropriate resources are allocated to those agencies.
Research suggests that sex offenders are less likely to re-offind when living in a stable environment. Communities can help by supporting sex offenders' attempts to reintegrate into society by assuring that stable housing and employment are made available.
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What do we mean by "Sex Offender Management"?
In order to prevent future victimization, sex offenders must exercise both internal and external control over their behavior. Criminal Justice systems, with the assistance from others in the community, engage in "sex offender management" to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to control offender behavior to the maximum extent possible.
To strengthen the offender's internal control and impose external controls on his behavior, offenders are best managed by multidisciplinary teams that include, at a minimum, supervising parole or probation officers and sex offender specific treatment providers who work together to focus the supervision and treatment plans according to the unique challenges faced and posed by a specific offender. Research and experience indicates that victim and community safety is best achieved when parole and probation officers and treatment providers work with advocates for victims and community members in supervising individual offenders. Thus, collaboration is an important principle in sex offender management.
The community supervision component performed by parole or probation officers constitutes external controls. The supervising officer enforces conditions designed to limit an offender's access to potential victims and his participating in high-risk situations. Judges and the Parole Board must be informed of the need for these external control measures when they make decisions regarding supervisory conditions. Both prosecuting and defense attorneys should be aware of what effective controls are available for use in the management of sex offenders and ensure these are provided to the Court for consideration.
Treatment helps offenders develop internal controls. Sex offender specific treatment helps offenders identify their individual pattern of abuse - the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that precede their offense behavior and teaches them ways they can respond differently to avoid re-offending.
The Sex Offender Registry Board provides registration information to the community and victims, monitors registration compliance, and assists local police departments and other community resources to conduct community education programs.
The community provides yet another set of external controls. Employers, family members, and friends all share in the responsibility of assisting the offender to avoid high-risk situations and potential victims.
Law enforcement agencies play a key role in the surveillance of offender activity. The use of neighborhood watch programs is a valuable resource for law enforcement and integrates the community in sex offender management programs.
Victim advocates ensure that the safety and privacy of known victims and victims' families impact and influence the supervision plan designed for an individual offender.
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How can you help support the management of sex offenders in your community?
It is important that all citizens understand the role of sex offender management teams in the community and support their efforts to responsibly manage these offenders.
Assist criminal justice agencies in monitoring an offender's behavior and actions. This is not to place community members in a supervisory role, but to empower citizens to participate in community safety planning and to support the creation of an environment in which the offender is most likely to succeed without risk of re-offense.
Use available channels for expressing concerns. If community members have a concern about a particular offender, this information should be brought to the attention of the supervising agency or police immediately. Avoid any attempt to harass or shame a sex offender into compliance as this can have an unintended and negative consequence.
Understand that the sex offenders will and do live in the community. It is not feasible for every sex offender to be incarcerated for life.
Understand that safely supervising sex offenders in the community is complex and resource dependent. There is no simple solution to end sexual assault.
Do not ostracize sex offenders or their families. This can often jeopardize their willingness or ability to comply with the very conditions of supervision that are most likely to reduce their likelihood of re-offense.
Educate yourself, your family, and friends about the dangers of sexual assault. In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, it is important that you clearly understand who is at risk and how they can best be protected. The Department of Public Health offers a variety of educational programs designed to increase the awareness of the realities of sexual assault.
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To inquire about participating in a Community Awareness presentation contact your local police department or The Sex Offender Registry Board Community Services Unit at (978)740-6500.
Thank you Bob Baker and the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry for this valuable information.
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Resources for additional information and assistance.
Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board
(978)740-6500
Massachusetts Parole Board
(617)727-3271
Office of the Commissioner of Probation
(617)727-5300
Department of Public Health - Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services
(617)624-5457
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
(800)THE-LOST (843-5678)
Jacob Wetterling Foundation
(320)363-0470
KlaasKids
(415)331-6867
