For immediate release

May 5, 2006

Contact: Carrie Abner

859-244-8031

cabner@csg.org

CSG Launches Initiative on State Sex Offender Management Policy

The U.S. Department of Justice/Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded $300,000 to The Council of State Governments to provide educational materials and training to state lawmakers on effective policies for managing sex offenders in the states.

More than 100 sex offender laws were passed by state legislatures in 2005—twice the number passed in 2004.  While few would argue against legislative and programmatic efforts to ensure the safety of the public—and of children in particular—against violent sexual crimes, some state leaders and experts have expressed concern that the urgency of efforts to strengthen sex offender management policy is prohibiting lawmakers from fully considering the range of long-term impacts such policies will have.

Under the new initiative, CSG in partnership with the American Probation and Parole Association, Association of Paroling Authorities International and The Center for Sex Offender Management, will track trends in state sex offender laws; host national forums for state officials on sex offender management policy in the states; develop educational materials and publications; and establish a Web site to promote innovative and effective state sex offender policies. 

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and our project partners to provide critical information to state policymakers about the management of sexual offenders and to promote the sharing of best practices among the states” said Carrie Abner, senior policy analyst for public safety and justice at CSG.  “This is a priority concern in statehouses across the country.  We want to ensure that lawmakers are aware of the full range of impacts these laws have on the states, on offenders and, most importantly, on public safety.”

For more information, contact Carrie Abner at (859)244-8031 or cabner@csg.org.

CSG is the premier multibranch organization forecasting policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths and territories on a national and regional basis. CSG alerts state elected and appointed officials in all three branches of government to emerging social, economic, and political trends; offers innovative state policy responses to rapidly changing conditions; and advocates multistate problem-solving to maximize resources and competitiveness. Since 1933, CSG has promoted excellence in decision-making and leadership skills and championed state sovereignty.