PROMOTING VICTIM-CENTERED SUPERVISION: PRACTICAL TIPS AND PROMISING EXAMPLES

Transcription

1 PROMOTING VICTIM-CENTERED SUPERVISION: PRACTICAL TIPS AND PROMISING EXAMPLES WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2017, 2:00-3:30 PM ET Center for Sex Offender Management

2 Welcome to Today s Webinar! For technical support, call: or conferencingcenter@level3.com. Use the chat box to the bottom left of the screen to type in questions or comments throughout the webinar. Please type in your name, agency and the number of people viewing this webinar with you. During the presentation, all phones will be muted. Please complete the brief survey at the end of the webinar.

3 Specialized Training and Technical Assistance to Enhance Probation Response to Sexual Assault This webinar is supported by Grant Number 2013-TA-AX-K034, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this workshop are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

4 Project Goal and Deliverables Goal: To promote well-informed, victim-sensitive probation responses to cases involving sexual assault by providing specialized assistance and support to probation agencies and officers responsible for supervising sex offenders. Deliverables: Conduct a needs assessment Create new resources: e-curriculum, toolkit, and online system map Provide assistance to probation agencies and other key stakeholders via training, on- and off-site technical assistance, webinar series

5 Our Presenters Today Leilah Gilligan, Senior Manager, Center for Sex Offender Management Dr. Kurt Bumby, Director, Center for Sex Offender Management Mr. Robert Coyne, Regional Manager Adult Probation, Connecticut Judicial Branch (Retired) Ms. Melissa Hoffer, Probation Officer Victim Specialist- District 3A, State of Nebraska Ms. Kimberly Maciel, Crime Victim Advocate, Rhode Island Department of Corrections

6 Today s Session Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management What Does Victim-Centeredness Mean? Victim-Centeredness Defined and In Action Specialized Sex Offender Supervision The Need for Collaboration Promising Examples of Collaboration from the Field: Connecticut Nebraska Rhode Island Project Resources Under Development

7 Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management (CASOM) Model Investigation, Prosecution, Sentencing Registration, Notification Fundamental Principles Victim-Centeredness Specialized Knowledge, EBP Public Education, Engagement Monitoring, Evaluation Collaboration Assessment Reentry Supervision Treatment (Carter, Bumby, & Talbot, 2004)

8 Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management (CASOM) Model Recognizes multiple elements, components, goals, and interests of criminal justice system Based on research and best practices literature from the sex offender management field Outlines core components and fundamental principles (Carter, Bumby, & Talbot, 2004)

9 Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management (CASOM) Model Investigation, Prosecution, and Sentencing Registration and Notification Reentry Fundamental Principles Victim-Centeredness Specialized Knowledge, EBP Public Education, Engagement Monitoring, Evaluation Collaboration Assessment Supervision Treatment (Carter, Bumby, & Talbot, 2004)

10 What does victimcenteredness mean?

11 Victim-Centeredness Defined A philosophy, principle, and practice in which survivors rights, needs, and interests are a paramount consideration when developing and implementing sex offender management strategies.

12 Victim-Centeredness in Action Justice systems that value a victim-centered approach: Move beyond an exclusively offender-focused model Recognize survivors as key stakeholders Are responsive to survivors rights, interests, and needs Empower, promote healing for survivors, families Help survivors, families navigate the complex system

13 Victim-Centeredness in Action (cont.) Justice systems that value a victim-centered approach: Strive to increase confidence among survivors, families that effective strategies are in place Identify, remedy gaps in services for victims, families Promote policy, case management decisions that focus on victim-responsiveness, safety, risk reduction, prevention Mitigate potential for system-induced trauma

14 Reducing System-Induced Trauma Some justice system policies unintentionally contribute to negative experiences for survivors Potential for survivors, families to feel: Less safe Ignored, dismissed, disrespected Marginalized Overwhelmed, isolated Angry, betrayed, harmed, or re-traumatized Mistrustful, less confident about the system

15 Potential Effects of System-Induced Trauma Hesitance among survivors, family members, others about coming forward to: Express concerns about personal safety, interests, needs Access needed services Report suspicious behavior, risk factors exhibited by perpetrators and others Disclose abuse Can have collateral consequence of reducing supervision officers ability to intervene effectively Supervision is key to enhancing victim and public safety

16 Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management (CASOM) Model Investigation, Prosecution, and Sentencing Registration and Notification Fundamental Principles Victim-Centeredness Specialized Knowledge, EBP Public Education, Engagement Monitoring, Evaluation Collaboration Assessment Supervision Reentry Treatment (Carter, Bumby, & Talbot, 2004)

17 Overarching Goal of Supervision No more victims

18 Specialized Supervision is a Best Practice Specialized training, skills, caseloads Specialized risk assessments Specialized conditions Specialized technology Specialized collaborations

19 Roles, Responsibilities of Supervision Officers Risk management, containment Minimize exposure to high risk situations Protect victims (past or potential) Promote condition compliance Risk reduction Address changeable risk factors Foster positive change, stability, success Use optimism to engage and motivate

20 Roles, Responsibilities of Supervision Officers (cont.) Assess and reassess recidivism risk Establish supervision level, contacts, conditions based on identified risk level and risk factors Develop individualized supervision plans Monitor dynamic risk factors over time Conduct office, home, and other field visits Make referrals for programs, services

21 Roles, Responsibilities of Supervision Officers (cont.) Model, skill practice, reinforce Identify, engage community supports Collaborate with other key stakeholders, including victim advocates Address non-compliance and violations, considering: Current risk level Nature, severity of violation Patterns Amenability Acknowledgment of responsibility Impact on victim, public safety

22 Roles, Responsibilities of Supervision Officers (cont.) Avoid negative stigmatizing language Help ensure throughout the supervision process that victims safety needs, interests, and rights are: Recognized, heard Respected Addressed

23 Summary: Pivotal Aspects of Supervision

24 Collaboration is Key for Victim-Centered Sex Offender Supervision and Management

25 Supervision Officers and Victim Advocates Report Potential for Shared Goals Facilitating community safety Reducing, preventing sexual violence Promoting well-informed public policies Promoting effective sex offender management practices Promoting victim-centered approaches

26 Percentage of Supervision Officers and Victim Advocates Who Believe Collaboration is Effective in Reducing Reoffending 100% 80% 92% 87% 60% 40% 20% 0% Supervision officers Victim advocates

27 Polling Question Do you believe that collaboration can be enhanced to ensure victim-centered sex offender supervision strategies? Yes No

28 Extent to Which Practitioners Perceive a Need to Collaborate More to Enhance Victim-Centeredness Supervision officers Victim advocates Agree 46% Agree 34% Strongly agree 53% Disagree, Strongly disagree 1% Strongly agree 64% Disagree, Strongly disagree 2%

29 An Apparent Disconnect Practitioners buy in to victimcenteredness But are uncertain about how to operationalize it Practitioners agree that collaboration is necessary But report multiple barriers

30 Reported Barriers to Collaboration Demanding workloads No written policies, MOUs Language/terminology barriers Competition for scarce resources Location Limited opportunities to interact

31 Barriers to Collaboration (cont.) Professional mistrust Perceived competing interests Limited understanding of counterparts roles, responsibilities Lack of clarity about specific ways in which victim advocates can inform, contribute to sex offender supervision and management

32 Polling Question How confident are you that you understand specific ways in which victim advocates can inform or contribute to sex offender supervision and management? a. Very confident b. Somewhat confident c. Not particularly confident

33 Confidence in Understanding Ways in Which Victim Advocates Can Inform, Contribute to Sex Offender Management % of victim advocates reporting confidence 47% % of supervision officers reporting confidence 51% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

34 Understanding the Role of Victim Advocates is Essential At the most fundamental level, victim advocates: Represent the voice of the survivor; Strive to ensure their safety and wellbeing; and Provide information and resources to support them.

35 Roles for Victim Advocates within a Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management Help victims, families navigate criminal justice system Explain supervision, treatment, other offender management strategies to victims, families Serve as liaison with system actors Provide case-specific information from victims perspectives, experiences to inform supervision plans

36 Roles for Victim Advocates within a Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management (cont.) Assist treatment providers with developing victim empathy/impact interventions Participate in multidisciplinary case management team meetings Collaborate in safety planning efforts Facilitate sound family reunification policies, practices Assist with professional training, community education, information-sharing, and networking Assist supervision officers with understanding core victims rights

37 Core Rights of Victims Right to be treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity Right to prompt return of personal property Right to a speedy trial Right to be informed Right to protection Right to apply for compensation Right to restitution from the offender Right to enforcement of victims rights National Center for Victims of Crime

38 Opportunities for Officers to Ensure Victim- Centered Supervision

39 Roles for Supervision Officers in Ensuring Victim- Centeredness Assess, document victim impact through victim impact statements in Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) reports Provide victim notifications about perpetrators status in system (for victims who opt-in) Ensure victim safety, protection throughout course of supervision via Special conditions Case management, safety plans Responses to supervision non-compliance, violations

40 Roles for Supervision Officers in Ensuring Victim- Centeredness (cont.) Assist offenders with identifying ways to address restitution Enforce restitution orders Provide information about supervision processes, strategies to victims, families Maintain awareness of community resources for victims, offer referrals Ensure that victims have a point of contact at supervision agency for concerns, emergencies

41 What Do Collaborative Partnerships to Promote Victim-Centeredness Look Like in Practice? Examples from Three States (Connecticut, Nebraska, Rhode Island)

42 Connecticut

43 Sex Offender Supervision Units Sex Offender Management Units PROBATION & PAROLE UNITS Court Support Services Division/Judicial Branch 18 SO Probation Units -specialized POs Department of Correction 5 SO Parole Units specialized POs SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM ADVOCATES Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence 12 specialized advocates cover all units Funded through state dollars and federal STOP TREATMENT PROVIDERS The Connection/ Center for the Treatment of Problem Sexual Behavior cover all units Contracted through state

44 Collaboration - Sex Offender Units HISTORY First unit: 1996 in New London began collaboration between The Alliance, CTPSB, CSSD probation officers and DOC parole officers Units followed in New Haven and Hartford before being utilized statewide Since 2007 Connecticut has had specialized SO probation and parole units for every offender released throughout the state

45 Collaboration - Sex Offender Units ROLES Probation/Parole Officers: focus on community safety as well as the offender s conditions. Ongoing supervision, home visits, collaboration individually and with team for offender approved supervisors Treatment Providers: Provide weekly treatment groups with offenders (required) on unit, ongoing risk assessment, collaboration individually and with team for offender approved supervisors

46 Collaboration - Sex Offender Units Victim Advocates: ROLES Short Term: Provide notification of offender release, safety planning, short term crisis counseling, referrals for services (including victim s compensation); relay questions and concerns to the other unit members with victim permission Long Term: Serve as victim s voices in collaboration and decisions made by the unit; speak for the victim in the case, but also for victims in general. Focus on community safety

47 Collaboration - Sex Offender Units Victim Advocates: ROLES Gather Pre-Sentence Investigation Victim Impact Statements Assist victims in filing for restitution or completing victim assistance applications Provide information and guidance on civil matters Help to organize and participate in the reunification process, as well as family meetings Provide information to offender family members and individuals close to them on the supervision process, as well as referrals for services when needed

48 Collaboration - Sex Offender Units SUCCESSES/CHALLENGES/OPPORTUNITIES Positive victim impact Clearer communication in community Indicators of lower recidivism rates State deficit and layoffs, larger case loads Collaboration for adult offenders only; juvenile system not coordinated New Sentencing Commission Special Committee on Sex Offenders

49 Connecticut Standards of Offender Supervision Connecticut Model Background Benefits of Victim Advocate in Probation Containment Approach Sex Offender Cases/High Public Interest Role of Victim Advocate 2015 Moving Forward

50 Benefits of Victim Advocate in Probation Most incarcerated sex offenders in prison will be released and all had victims Victim Advocate working in conjunction with Supervision Officer minimizes victim being re-traumatized Containment holds offender accountable, affords victim safety and helps community

51 SO Cases = High Public Interest Victim Centered Approach key; however, adds Probation Officers duties VA used to inform and educate victims and public on notification/registration Assist/support victims and/or their families as offender returns to the community VA adds resource for family of offenders (secondary victims) Majority of cases victims well known to sex offender

52 Role of the Victim Advocate Pre-trial/Sentencing (Pre-Sentence Investigation) Supervision/Treatment Public Education/Policy Development

53 Probation/Parole Supervision Victim contacted 2-4 months before discharge (letter, phone call, ) Goal: minimize re-traumatizing victim Many probation/parole often do excellent job with victim sensitivity VA primary function! Victims have confidentiality with VA and offer increased feeling of safety VA represent the interest of victims (potential) in decisions related to community supervision: residence approval, employment, social activities, travel

54 Public Education/Policy Development Community notification can create alarm in neighborhood - VA is part of team VA may assist with specific groups regarding safety plans and alleviate myths about offenders VA can provide short term counseling services or make referrals for services

55 CT - Moving Forward Probation: manage growing (aging) population and long term sentences (10 years LIFETIME) Utilize levels of supervision (high/medium/maintenance) Continue: treatment, registration, notification, home visits, collateral contacts, polygraph Improve upon Victim Centered Approach!

56 CT - Moving Forward (cont.) Not all sex offenders are high risk nor do all need incarceration to be safely managed in community Victim Advocate can help officer monitor offender, provide resource to victim and educate community A strong integrated approach allows victim safety, successful treatment outcomes, lower recidivism, and healing families Finally, offenders return to informed community with opportunity to develop internal controls, obtain housing/employment and comply with conditions

57 Rhode Island

58 Rhode Island Model Model established in 1999 to establish a comprehensive victim s program inside the community corrections department of the RIDOC2 full time staff Notification Registration- RI-VINE Victim Education Victim Advocacy

59 Rhode Island Model (cont.) In accordance with confidentiality protocols our specific duties include: Provide information to the victim, victim s family or other appropriate secondary victims whose offender is in the unit. Status, conditions, pending court action Direct support services, information, referral Establish a communication link, one point of contact. Participate when appropriate in offender treatment programs Accompany unit staff on home visits

60 But Wait There s More! Participate in monthly re-entry staff meetings SOLEMN Task Force Critical Case Meetings Pre-sentence report professional support assistance Providing advocacy, referrals and support for victims

61 Case Example: Who, What, When, Where and Why? Offender currently supervised on SO Specific caseload SOLEMN Task Force referral-compliance check accompaniment in Suspected sexual assaults perpetrated on bio daughter No disclosure 2 years later

62 Taking Action Identify who the victim advocates, treatment providers, and/or supervision officers are in your community Reach out, make a connection Make an appointment to visit one another s offices, agencies Attend one another s staff meetings to provide an overview of respective roles, responsibilities

63 Taking Action (cont.) Co-sponsor, develop, and/or participate in crosstraining events, workshops Develop system map with implications for victimcenteredness Participate in multidisciplinary teams Identify promising practices in other jurisdictions Develop joint grant, funding proposals to address shared goals

64 Nebraska

65 Nebraska- Victim Officers Has victim officers in four Probation districts around the state (Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island/Kearney, and North Platte) Officers do not carry a supervision caseload instead, their full time role is working with and providing support to victims whose perpetrators are under supervision for domestic or sexual offending.

66 Nebraska- Victim Officers The Nebraska model provides a voice for victims of sexual and domestic violence, providing survivors with a trained and dedicated officer on whom they can rely to provide information, resources, and support over the course of their perpetrator s supervision period.

67 Nebraska- Victim Officers Victim officers are responsible for writing the victim portion of the pre-sentence investigation reports (PSIs) for all court cases, including sexual assaults. Officers initiate contact with each victim participating in a presentence investigation, ensure that victim rights are enforced.

68 Nebraska- Victim Officers Maintain contact with victims during the entire period of the defendant s supervision, checking in with victims at least monthly, depending on circumstances of the case (e.g., the status of court proceedings and upcoming hearings.) Also can be available for court hearings if a victim needs support.

69 Nebraska- Victim Officers Supervision officers often draw upon victim officers for support- to: make contact with victims under special circumstances, and provide ongoing feedback to supervision officers about how they can be more victimcentered.

70 Nebraska- Victim Officers Victim officers are sworn in as probation officers and participate in an eight-week general probation officer training. Also get specialized training on elements of a victim-centered approach, how to interact with victims of trauma, and understanding sexual and domestic violence.

71 Nebraska- Victim Officers Collaborate closely with outside community agencies with whom probation does not typically work closely (e.g., sexual assault coalitions/rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and other victim agencies) As a result are very knowledgeable about community resources available to support victims.

72 Nebraska- Victim Officers Victim officers work with service agencies to Create task forces to provide wrap-around services for the victims Serve jointly on committees to build public awareness and support through community involvement in special events Collaborate with other court agencies, such as county attorneys, to reduce victim retraumatization

73 POLLING QUESTION Considering the information presented today, what specific ideas would you like to further explore in your jurisdiction to promote victim-centered supervision and management? (Please type responses into the chat box).

74 Questions?

75 Coming Soon! New Resources to Promote Victim-Centered Supervision Online curriculum Web-based system map of opportunities Toolkit for practitioners

76 In this tool, we highlight key opportunities in the probation process to enhance victim-centeredness Registration, notification Pre-sentence investigatio n Responding to violations Ongoing supervisio n Victim- Centered Supervisi on Family reunificati on Supervision conditionsetting Developing the supervision plan Click on a tab to learn more!

77 PSI: Victim Impact Statement The PSI offers the first opportunity for officers to facilitate victimcenteredness, as it: Gives survivors a voice at sentencing Establishes a tone of accountability and trust that can enhance survivor engagement Supports healing process for some survivors Provides information to support victim-centeredness postsentencing, including supervision Menu

78 Supervision Condition-Setting Opportunity to explore and impose on a case by case basis restrictions and expectations to: Promote accountability Facilitate restitution Ensure victim safety needs (e.g., no contact orders, supervised contact, limitations on Internet) Manage, reduce re-offense risk (e.g., requirement for sex offensespecific treatment) Menu

79 Advancing Victim Centered Supervision of Persons Convicted of Sex Offenses A Toolkit for Practitioners This resource is supported by Grant Number 2013-TA-AX-K034, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this workshop are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

80 Toolkit Contents The Backdrop: Why We Do This Work The Criminal Justice Response to Sex Offending Understanding the Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management Why Victim-Centered Supervision? Victim-Centeredness and Supervising Sex Offenders: Exploring Current Practices

81 Toolkit Contents (cont.) Supervising Persons Convicted of Sex Offenses: Specialized Strategies within an Evidence-Based Framework Supervising Sex Offenders in Your Community: Exploring Current Practices Implementing Victim-Centered Supervision of Sex Offenders: Opportunities and Implications Innovations in Victim-Centered Approaches to Supervising Sex Offenders

82 Toolkit Contents (cont.) Victim-Centered Supervision of Sex Offenders: How are We Doing and Where Do We Need to Go Supplemental Tools Specialized Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports for Sex Offense Cases: Sample Outline Core Duties for Supervision Officers Specific to Victim- Centered Practices: Quick Reference Victim-Responsive Communication Approaches:: Do s and Don ts for Supervision Officers Additional Resources

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