1. Sex Offenders Wyoming Department of Corrections: A Risk-Based Approach to Managing Sex Offenders

2. Sex Offender Population

5. Wyoming’s Sex Offender Population 24.5% of the inmate population current conviction is for sex offense 39.8% of the minimum population current offense 10.3% assessed as High Risk (for future sex offense) 23.3% as Moderate High Risk 37.3% as Moderate Low Risk 29.1% assessed as Low Risk Excluding consecutives, life sentences, boot camp, out of state Compact, about 73.8% of sex offenders have adjusted minimums prior to January 2013 –66.8% assessed as Low/Moderate Low –33.2% assessed as High/Moderate High

16. Because of the heinous nature of the crime, public opinion tends to put all sex offenders in the same category, despite research to the contrary. Sex offenders vary greatly with respect to etiology, prognosis, risk for recidivism and dangerousness.

23. Overview of the Wyoming Approach

25. WDOC Approach The WDOC recognizes that sex offender’s represent a diverse population and present with highly divergent treatment needs and subsequently require individualized risk management strategies. To that end the Department has adopted an integrative risk management approach that incorporates sex offender specific risk assessment, evidence based intervention and treatment, and continuity of care via the adoption of the community based sex offender specific risk management strategies in the supervision of probationers and parolees.

26. WDOC Continuum WDOC is committed to developing a seamless continuum of sex offender management using evidence based principles and practice to reduce criminal recidivism and future victimization Developing a seamless network of correctional assessment, intervention, accountability and ongoing support is a Departmental priority and underlies our sex offender management efforts. Correctional case management/supervision is utilized to ensure standardization and consistency throughout the organization The importance of this continuum in the management of inmates with a history of sex offending behavior cannot be overstated

27. WDOC Continuum WDOC maximizes limited resources by: –Assessing the offender’s criminogenic risks/needs; –Assessing sex offender specific risks for all inmates with current conviction of sexual offense or history of sexual offense; –Focusing placement decisions (housing, treatment, work, etc.) around assessed risk; –Prioritizing treatment programs and transitional services according to level of assessed risk and treatment need given the available resources; –Assigning intensity of supervision according to level of current risk

28. Reentry Transition and community stabilization considerations: Release planning begins at least several (six) months prior to release and specifically targets the following factors: –Community-based treatment, where available; –Access to ancillary services (e.g., health, mental health, substance abuse); –Specialized supervision and monitoring; –Community support and containment networks; –Family reunification; –Appropriate housing; –Employment; and –Consideration and involvement of victims.

29. Continuing Care The WDOC in conjunction with its contract providers ensure that all offenders involved in formal sex offender treatment have a continuing treatment plan that includes a referral to community based treatment when indicated. Community supervision techniques include CSOM recommended best-practice approaches to supervision and again are largely risk-driven.

31. Sex Offender Population Why do we assess risk? Promotes public safety Guides routine interventions Targets scarce resources –Field Agent/Case Manager time –Treatment Slots Indentify Exceptions (imminent risk and protective factors)

33. Sex Offender Population How do we assess? A validated, “three level” sex offender risk assessment scheme that is, Easy to use Wide applicability Widely known and used Gives reliable percentages of: “What are the chances of trouble” Gives the Parole Agent / Case Manager indications as to: “When should I intervene” “What should I target”

34. Sex Offender Population The Dynamic Supervision Project Methodology Static factors assessed once Implied time line = “Now to forever” Baseline measure of risk Stable factors assessed every 6 months Implied time line = “Six months to a year either side of today” “What's he like around now?” Provides indication of most promising treatment targets Acute factors assessed every supervision Implied time line = “Since I saw him last” Provides warning of imminent relapse

35. Sex Offender Population STATIC (unchangeable) factors - Prior sex offenses – Age – Any extra-familial victims – Any male victims Provides the basis for the STATIC-99 R

36. Sex Offender Population STABLE (slow to change) Factors – Intimacy deficits – Negative social influences – Pro-sex-offending attitudes – Problems with sexual self-regulation – Problems with general self-regulation Provides the basis for the Stable 2007

37. Sex Offender Population Acute (more rapidly changing) Factors – Substance abuse – Negative mood – Anger/Hostility – Opportunities for victim access Provides the basis for the Acute 2007

44. Procedure  Provide sex offender specific risk assessment to those inmates identified with a documented history of sex offending behavior (i.e., criminal arrest, charge, conviction). All inmates are assessed using the COMPAS Risk and Needs Assessment (general recidivism). During the intake process the STATIC 99, Stable 2007 and Acute 2007 (when appropriate) will be scored and taken into consideration in case planning, intervention and treatment, and housing decisions.

45. Procedure Inmates who score High Risk on the Static 99-R are not eligible for housing at minimum custody institutions without involvement in in-prison sex offender specific treatment and a recommendation from the sex offender treatment provider. Inmates whose STATIC 99-R scores are low, moderate low, or moderate high, can be transferred to minimum custody institutions, but are not allowed to work off site unless approved by the Warden upon recommendation from a multidisciplinary staffing.

47. Procedure Incarcerated male sex offenders have a sex offender risk assessment initially performed at intake by case management staff using the STATIC 99R, Stable 2007 and Acute 2007 Institutional case managers refer all identified sex offenders to the contract sex offender treatment provider Psychosexual evaluations completed based on sentence structure (will be needed for treatment and release) Refusals to participate in the evaluation noted in the offenders case notes (Disciplinary action for failure to program)

48. Procedure For offenders with completed psychosexual evaluations, institutional case managers will refer those offenders who agree to participate in sex offender treatment to the Turning Point pretreatment group (at all male facilities) For offenders assessed as low, and low moderate risk entrance into the Turning Point pretreatment group will be made in consultation with the Parole Board or six months prior to expiration of sentence

49. Procedure For offenders assessed as moderate high or high risk the timing of entrance into the Turning Point pretreatment group will be coordinated with the in prison sex offender treatment provider In-prison sex offender treatment will follow completion of pretreatment group for the moderate high or high risk offenders Release planning for offenders who have been identified as sex offenders should comply with the guidance associated with the established parole conditions and procedures

50. Procedure As inmates progress through the correctional system and become eligible for parole, sex offender specific risk assessment information and any identified aggravating or mitigating factors are documented in the parole summary. Inmates nearing release or parole eligibility can be recommended for participation in the inpatient pre-treatment program. The sex offender pre-treatment program utilizes the Change Companies Turning Point Journals developed in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. An inmates response to the program provides the Parole board with additional information in making a release decision and is instrumental in making community based referrals. Subsequently, the reentry case plans should included a referral for community based sex offender treatment.

52. P&P Procedure STATIC 99-r’s are conducted by appropriately trained during the PSI or at sign up for those male offenders who are charged with a sex offense (and for whom a STATIC-99R is appropriate. The COMPAS is also completed to determine criminogenic needs other than sex-offender specific needs and for case planning. This information is used in conjunction with other information to recommend supervisor, intensive supervision program, adult community corrections program or prison.

54. Conclusions Through the use of a comprehensive sex offender specific risk assessment, the Department is: Better able to facilitate referrals for sex offender specific evaluation and treatment (when appropriate and available); Guide placement and housing decisions, and better inform the Parole Board of potential risk for recidivism and recommend risk informed parole recommendations; Facilitate inmate participation in the sex offender pretreatment journal group and in-prison treatment and make continuing treatment referrals to community providers; Provide sex offender risk informed probation and parole supervision, case planning, and monitoring.

55. Sex Offender Population Lessons Learned Accurate risk assessment: –Makes the best use of scarce resources and enhances public safety (Static) –Gives the tax payer the best “bang for the buck” –Is crucial to appropriate treatment planning (Stable) –Allows case managers and field agents to “more often” intervene before an incident of recidivism (Acute) –Provides a common vocabulary of risk that improves communication and knowledge transfer, reduces misunderstandings and mistakes Evidence-based practice is “defendable” and “transparent” when things go wrong

56. Thank You Questions and Comments