1. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
Identify the key components of community supervision, and
Explain how to apply these components to sex offenders.
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

2. Components of Supervision
Caseload Organization
The PSI
Assessment
Classification
Pre-sentence Recommendations
Conditions of Supervision
The Case Plan
Maintaining the Case File
Surveillance
Statutory Requirements
Lengthening Periods of Supervision
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

3. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Relapse Prevention
Offending behavior does not just “happen”.
Offenders make a series of choices.
Intervention:
Offenders learn about their offense cycles.
Offenders learn to identify risk factors.
Offenders learn to respond appropriately.
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

4. Officers Can Support Relapse Prevention by:
Helping offender learn his cycle, triggers
Correcting offender’s thinking errors
Promoting use of coping skills
Supporting development of internal control
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

5. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Self-Protection
Relapse
Relapse Process
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

6. Specialized Skills for Sex Offender Supervision
Risk and need assessment
Strategies for high risk situations
Treatment and monitoring tools
Legal liability issues
Legislative mandates (notification, DNA)
Victim issues
Restorative justice
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

7. The PSI Provides Information Regarding
The offender
The supervision environment
Victim impact
Resources available
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

8. Pre-sentence Investigation Recommendations
Risk Assessment:
To community
To victim(s)
Amenability to Treatment
Special Conditions
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

9. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Elements of the PSI
Document review
Interviews
Assessing probability of reoffense and amenability to treatment
Developing recommendations
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

10. Documents Essential to the PSI
Police Affidavit
Sex Offender-specific Evaluation
Mental Health Evaluations
Previous Supervision and Treatment Records
Military Records
Victim Information
Waivers of Confidentiality
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

11. Interviews Conducted for the PSI
Offender
Authors of written reports
police
therapists
Family and associates of offender
Victim
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

12. Personal History Items of the Offender
Family
Marital or other relationships
Employment
Volunteer and leisure activities
Financial
Medical
Military
Substance Abuse
Release of Information
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

13. Interactions with the Offender during the PSI
Different than during course of treatment
Accept some rationalization or minimization
Balance:
need for information
need to garner cooperation
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

14. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Details of the Offense
Where
Selection of victim
Methods to force submission
Victim reaction
Elements of crime that were arousing
Alcohol or drug use
Anything offender wanted but didn’t act on?
Weapons use
Offenders feelings
Has offender ever tried to stop?
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

15. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Sexual History Topics
How/when the offender learned about sex
What offender’s parents taught him
Dating and first sexual experience
Masturbation patterns and fantasies
Onset of sexual problems
Sexual relationship with significant other
Victimization issues
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

16. Closing the Sexual History Interview
Emphasize use of information
Non-confidential
Others will have access
Encourage honesty and candor
Prepare offender for his own reactions
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

17. Interviews with Victims
USE CAUTION: follow agency policy
Seek training before working with victims
Avoid further trauma to victim
Look for info from other sources first
Listen for impact of crime on victim
Listen for modus operandi of offender
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

18. Collateral Interviews
Family, roommates, neighbors can help
answer:
Who is offender living with?
What are their names and ages?
Do they know of his offense?
Is offender willing to give access?
What are names and criminal histories of offender’s associates?
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

19. Assessing/Evaluating the Sex Offender to Support Safe Management in the Community
Who?
Prosecutor
Probation/
Parole Officer
Judge
Treatment Provider
Polygraph Examiner
Victim Advocate
How/Tools?
Actuarial Risk Assessment Tools
Psychometric Scales
Physiological Tests
-polygraph
-plethysmograph
-Abel Screen
Observation
Interview
PSI
Sources of Information
Offender
Official Records
Family of Offender and Victim
Victim
Offender’s Employer
Law Enforcement
Other Professionals
Assessing what?
Likelihood of Reoffense
Dangerousness
Deviant Sexual Arousal
Severity/Type of Offense/Reoffense
Amenability to Treatment
Progress in
Treatment
Treatment Needs
Capacity of System to Manage Offender Safely
Progress in Treatment
Why?
Sentencing
Suitability for Community Supervision
Level of Supervision
Case Plan
Set Special Conditions
Treatment Plan
Change/Adapt Supervision
Intervene to Reduce Imminent Risk
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

20. Assessment Supports Many Aspects of Supervision
Setting
Conditions
Developing
Case Plan
Evaluating
Lapses/Violations
Flags to
Look for
Adjusting
Supervision
Approach
Home/Field
Visit Strategies
Adjusting
Conditions
Assessment/
Evaluation
Supports:
Determining
Reporting
Expectations
Collaboration
Strategy w/ Polygraph
Examiner
Collaboration
Strategy w/ Treatment
Provider
Safety Plan
for Victims
Imposing
Sanctions
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

21. Identification of Static Risk Factors
Deviant sexual interest, esp. children
Prior offenses, esp. sexual offenses
Not completing treatment
Sadistic arousal/high level of psychopathy
Young, never married
Unrelated or male child victims
Genital to genital contact w/ children
(Hanson and Bussiere, 1998)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

22. Identification of Dynamic Risk Factors
Acute
Substance abuse, negative mood, anger/hostility, victim access
Stable
Intimacy deficits
Negative social influences
Attitudes
Sexual/emotional self-regulation
General self-regulation
(Hanson & Harris, 2000)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

23. Assessing the Probability of Re-offense
Actuarial tools are most effective.
Generic actuarial tools are not effective with sex offenders.
Tools specifically designed for sex offenses are most effective.
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

24. Risk Assessment Methods and Instruments
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

25. Example Instrument: The RRASOR
Rapid Risk Assessment for Sex Offense Recidivism (RRASOR)
1. Prior Sex Offenses (not including index offense)
none 0
1 conviction or 1-2 charges
2-3 convictions or 3-5 charges
4+ convictions or 6+ charges 3
2. Age at Release (current age)
more than
less than
3. Victim Gender
only females 0
any males 1
4. Relationship to Victim
only related 0
any non-related 1
Total
Hanson, R.K. (1997). The development of a brief actuarial scale for sexual offense recidivism. (user Report No ) Ottawa: Solicitor General of Canada
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

26. Re-offense Rates on the RRASOR
Estimated Sex Offense Recidivism Rates
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

27. Pre-sentence Investigation Recommendations
Risk Assessment:
To community
To victim(s)
Amenability to treatment
Special Conditions
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

28. Pre-sentence Investigation Recommendations (cont.)
Level of Risk to the Community
Probability of re-offense
Past victim characteristics
Risk identified in psycho-sexual evaluation
Risk factors identified during the PSI
Factors that will support safe supervision
Degree of harm anticipated in case of re-offense
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

29. Pre-sentence Investigation Recommendations (cont.)
Amenability to Treatment
Acceptance of responsibility for actions
Understanding of victim impact and trauma
Admits behavior is a problem
Willingness to participate in specialized treatment
Agrees to comply with sex offense-specific conditions
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

30. Pre-sentence Investigation Recommendations (cont.)
Victim Impact and Safety
Degree of trauma suffered by victim
Injury
Financial Loss
Can victim safety be assured?
Victim input regarding conditions
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

31. Pre-sentence Investigation Recommendations (cont.)
Conditions of Supervision for Sex Offenders
Specialized for sex offenders
Consistent with standards or legislative mandates
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

32. Conditions of Supervision for Sex Offenders
Treatment
Victim Contact
Driving and Travel
Daily Living
Social/Sexual Behavior
Work
Alcohol and drugs
Disclosure
Polygraph, Plethysmograph, other tests
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

33. Indications for Increased Monitoring
Stress or crisis
Visits with victims or potential victims
Increased denial
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

34. Red Flags for Supervising Officers
Disengagement
“No showing”
Manipulation
(Hanson, Harris and Associates, 1997)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

35. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Disengagement
Offender going through motions
Not open to talking about treatment
Not invested in treatment
General non-cooperation with treatment
Silent / non-disclosing
(Hanson, Harris, and Associates, 1997)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

36. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Disengagement (cont.)
Keeps secrets from you
Any feeling client is being “phony”
Feeling you don’t know what’s going on with offender in general
Feeling offender is working against you
(Hanson, Harris and Associates, 1997)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

37. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
“No-Showing”
Frequently late
Misses appointments with you/others
Frequently wants to reschedule
Tries to limit meeting time
“Working against you”
Violates conditions
(Hanson, Harris and Associates, 1997)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

38. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Manipulation
Makes inappropriate requests
Inconsistencies between what offender and treatment team tell you
Catching offender in lies / contradictions
Curt / rude / threatening with you
Any feeling offender is being “phony”
(Hanson, Harris and Associates, 1997)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

39. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Manipulation (cont.)
Tries to “play the system”
Tries to take control of interview
Tries to be “buddy-buddy” with you
Attempts to focus interview on irrelevant issues
Takes inordinate amount of your time
(Hanson, Harris and Associates, 1997)
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

40. Situations Requiring Immediate Removal of Offender
Possession of dangerous weapon
Contact with children initiated by offender and not reported
Substance use that is part of offense cycle
Offender physically harms another person
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

41. Responses to Limit Risk
Limiting access to victims
Electronic monitoring or curfews
No contact orders
Restrictions on movement
Increased monitoring, contact, treatment
Pre-revocation contracts
Admissions to violations
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

42. Amending Conditions of Supervision
When new information becomes available
To provide more control over offender
To reward positive compliance
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

43. CSOM Long Version: Section 3
Developing a Case Plan
Forms basis for supervision
Involvement of offender is key
All changes and updates should be carefully documented
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

44. The Case Plan: Two Major Elements
Controlling the offender’s environment
Assuring participation in sex offender- specific treatment
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

45. An Appropriate Treatment Referral--Issues to Consider
Substance abuse?
Pharmacological intervention?
Family reunification?
New information from a polygraph?
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

46. Maintaining the Case File
Combats deception / tracks patterns
Clarifies expectations
Makes new information easily available (e.g., evaluations, polygraph results, etc.)
Documentation for revocation
Enables continuity if personnel changes
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

47. Increasing Requirements on Probation and Parole
Community Notification
Registration
DNA testing
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

48. Lengthening Periods of Supervision
Currently in Arizona, Colorado, and Iowa
Pro-active risk management
Acknowledges long-term nature of problem
Provides great flexibility
CSOM Long Version: Section 3

49. Surveillance as a Tool for Sex Offender Supervision
Allows greater control and monitoring--24/7
Monitors compliance with conditions
Supplements resources of the probation/parole officer
CSOM Long Version: Section 3