San Francisco Sex Offender Management Alliance (SFSOMA)

Transcription

1 San Francisco Sex Offender Management Alliance (SFSOMA)

2 Adult Probation Department Center for Special Problems Community Behavioral Health Services S.F. Department of Public Health District Attorney s Office Mayor s Office of Criminal Justice Public Defender s Office S.F. Child Abuse Council S.F. Police Department S.F. Sheriff s Department Superior Court, County of San Francisco San Francisco Forensic Institute

3 In , we created a foundational framework from which to develop a more effective sex offender management program.

4 Developed a resource guide of available adult and child/youth victim and adult offender services and supports; Mapped the path from arrest through post-disposition which a sex offender follows through the criminal justice system in order to better understand and recognize problems within the system (See handout); Examined available sex offender data in order to understand in more detail the types of offenders under supervision, the range of crimes committed, and basic demographic information about San Francisco s sex offender population and victims of sexual abuse; Completed the Comprehensive Assessment Protocol (CAP) to assess San Francisco s current sex offender management practices to identify strengths and major gaps across five areas: 1) investigation, adjudication, and disposition; 2) assessment; 3) treatment; 4) reentry and supervision; and 5) registration and community notification.

5 Implementation

6 In , we implemented seven high priority strategies that addressed CAP gaps deemed most urgent: 1. Specialized Sex Offender Training for Judges, Probation Officers, and Investigators 2. Specialized Pre-Sentencing Reports 3. Sex Offender Specific Risk Assessment Instruments 4. Standardized Probation Conditions 5. Sex Offender Unit- Probation 6. Standardized Sex Offender Treatment Protocols 7. Training For Treatment Providers

7 1) Mayor s Office leadership is vital to convening the multiple systems and community partners that are integral parts of a collaborative. 2) Every voice, from law enforcement to victims, should have a seat at the table in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of sex offender management initiatives. 3) Collaborative partners must support each other in building an effective sex offender management program.

8 4) Sex offender management must be approached from a public health campaign perspective, recognizing the critical importance of providing the public with the knowledge and facts they need to protect themselves from sexual abuse.

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10 5) Engaging the courts is a cornerstone of effective sex offender management. Two day judges training (Judge Reinstein and C. Flinton)

11 Collaborate- it is key to sustainability Case discussions from different disciplines/perspectives Tracking media and public perceptions Continue to engage judges in the discussion Increase public awareness campaigns Develop strategies to educate the Mayor s Office and the Board of Supervisors and then collaboratively work with the State entities

12 A large number of sexual offenders may be released from prison due to budget issues The county mental health clinic may close (CSP) The budget crisis in both the Public Defender s Office and District Attorney s Office will limit resources

13 Sexual Offender Court (naming it?) Intent: To facilitate SO management with better informed stakeholders (judges, attorneys, probation officers, treatment providers, experts, etc. ) To provide formal, intensive case management for SO s directed by a specialized judge Track offenders housing, employment, adherence to conditions, risk, etc. Provide direction, monitoring and encouragement/support to offenders on probation

14 The Good The courts (judges) agreed to it The District Attorney and the Public Defender, in principle, agreed to it The San Francisco Probation Department agreed to it The Bad What to name it? The Public Defender s Office withdrew their participation due to funding issues The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) currently cannot help fund the project [BUT, we are in regular communication with Center for Effective Public Policy (CEPP) for funding ops]

15 San Francisco Probation Unfunded laws are challenging Static-99 training is not ongoing There is a lack of providers willing to work with SO probationers due to low fee issues

16 San Francisco Police Department Updating Investigation Standards Victims statements Identification of pre-offense planning etc Document Sharing The DA is required to store documents for 75 years for convictions but charged/reported offenses are kept by the police department (Police records SHOULD be public)

17 San Francisco County Sheriff s Department There are about 80 sexual offenders housed in SF County Jail- there is a need for in-house sexual offender treatment

18 District Attorney s Office Collaborating with the Judge Advocate General (JAG) regarding prosecution of acquaintance rape Funding needs

19 Chairs of SFSOMA Susan Eto, J.D. Deputy District Attorney Charles Flinton, Ph.D. Forensic Psychologist San Francisco Forensic Institute