Rhode Island

Technical Assistance:

Rhode Island Sex Offender Policy Team (April 2003 – present): After a CSOM training event in December 2002 on best practices in sex offender management, CSOM staff conducted a follow-up visit in April 2003 to assess the team’s current practice and to develop strategies to enhance its efforts. A CSOM team member has conducted regular site visits to participate in and facilitate the team’s monthly meetings since then.

Training:

Provided a media and communications consultant to conduct a full day training to the Rhode Island Sex Offender Management Task Force. The first half of the day provided the Task Force with critical information on media and public communications, as well as an opportunity to discuss proactive public education opportunities. The second half of the day was devoted to skill building for members of the Task Force designated to respond to media inquiries. With the consultant’s assistance, a strategic plan for responding to breaking news events was also developed in Providence, Rhode Island, October 2004 (20 participants).

Delivered a one-day training on best practices in sex offender management at the request of the Rhode Island Sex Offender Task Force to a multidisciplinary audience in Providence, Rhode Island, October 2003 (40 participants).

Trained the Rhode Island Sex Offender Policy Team on best practices in sex offender management, team roles, community notification and establishing treatment standards, December 2002 (30 participants).

Delivered a one-day training on sex offender community supervision and treatment at the New England Council on Crime and Delinquency's annual training institute to probation and parole staff, treatment providers, victim advocates, and others who share responsibility for managing sex offenders in the community in Newport, Rhode Island, November 2002 (50 participants).

OJP Grant Sites:

2006: The Rhode Island Department of Corrections' goal is to enhance existing collaboration; promote consistency of approach, shared understanding, and appropriate exchange of information; and strengthen professional ties among all involved in the case management, supervision and relapse prevention services for adult and juvenile sex offender throughout Rhode Island. In conjunction with and building upon the activities of the existing multidisciplinary team, the RI Sex Offender Management Task Force, through the RI Department of Corrections, proposes to develop and implement a comprehensive collaborative training program throughout the state for those who provide case management, supervision and/or relapse prevention services to adult and juvenile sex offenders.

2003: The State of Rhode Island encompasses 1,045 square miles; any point in the state is accessible within a one-hour drive. At the time of this grant there were approximately 400 sex offenders incarcerated at the Adult Correctional Institution and an additional 24 juvenile sex offenders held at the Rhode Island Training School. Additionally, there were approximately 800 adult sex offenders on probation and 67 juvenile sex offenders living in the community under the supervision of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Rhode Island received grant funds to formalize and expand its Sex Offender Management Task Force to promote community safety and prevent harm to victims. A statewide, policy level, multidisciplinary task force has been meeting monthly for the past year. Grant funds are assisting the task force in using a deliberate process to systematically assess all of their juvenile and adult sex offender management practices. Specifically, four subcommittees have been established to assess services available to sex offenders throughout the state, including: investigation, prosecution, adjudication; assessment and treatment; supervision and reentry; and registration and notification. In addition, the task force has established a public education awareness committee that is developing a statewide education strategy for public officials and private citizens around sexual assault and sex offender management issues. Ultimately, this assessment of services will result in a set of policy recommendations as well as potential legislative recommendations by January 2005. Grant funds will be used to address the most significant shortcomings identified through this process. The task force envisions a long-term role in overseeing the implementation and evaluation of these changes well beyond the life of the grant.

1999: In early 2000, 166 juveniles and 450 adults were on probation for sex offenses in Rhode Island. The Superior Court had 505 pending sex offense cases and Family Court had 25 pending sex offense cases. Approximately 2 to 8 sex offenders are eligible for release from prison each month, and 4 to 20 are eligible for parole; there are over 700 entries in the state sex offender registry. The Rhode Island Justice Commission used a planning grant to develop a strategic plan to more effectively manage sex offenders in the state. Generally, the commission worked on four primary areas of concern: registration and notification; identification of the resources necessary to supervise sex offenders; expansion of treatment options; and evaluation and data collection to assist the team in decision making. The team met monthly, with subcommittees meeting more frequently.