POLICY

Public safety can be improved through changes in the way sex offenders are sentenced and supervised.  Such changes need to be done with careful deliberation.  MCA acknowledges the significant work done by past legislatures and by the Department of Corrections and we strongly encourage continued discussion along with the approval of adequate funding for implementation of the legislative mandates.  MCA looks forward to further collaboration with the Department of Corrections in the review and policy recommendations of the Sex Offender study and Recommendations report released in February 2007.

BACKGROUND

• Sentencing:  Proposals to apply life sentences to a broader range of sex offenders or to return to an indeterminate sentencing system for repeat sex offenders need careful study and discussion.  The legal and philosophical implications of such changes are significant.  Discussion and thoughtful deliberation regarding their effect on the entire system of criminal sentencing, incarceration, treatment, and supervision are imperative.
• Increasing conditional release or other forms of supervision following:
• Release from prison:  MCA supports increasing both the duration and the intensity of supervision for repeat sex offenders whose prison terms have been served.  MCA reminds policy makers that, to be effective, supervision comes with a price tag and the entire financial burden should not be borne by local governments.
• Use of global positions (GPS) technology:  MCA supports the use of advanced and emerging technologies to enhance the supervision of sex offenders.  Some offenders can help pay for monitoring services, but many cannot.  MCA therefore urges the legislature and governor to provide adequate funding to local and state supervising agencies.
• Expanded use of Intensive Supervised Release (ISR):  MCA supports expansion of ISR to areas currently not served and to areas where caseloads exceed minimum standards.  This should happen only after cuts to ISR, sex offender grants, and other community supervision program budgets are restored.

For more information, contact:
Cal Saari (218-885-1375)

11/10/07