The Sex Offender Caseload Program was implemented in ’91 to provide intensive and specialized supervision and treatment to offenders whose primary offense is a sex offense. The goal of the program is to provide treatment for all sex offenders who are court ordered to receive it, regardless of their financial status.
The Williamson County CSCD has 3 specialized sex offender caseloads. The supervision officers who oversee these caseloads receive specialized training in the supervision of sex offenders and have reduced caseloads. Special emphasis is placed on monitoring sex offender’s contact with minor children. Typically, sex offenders are barred from having any contact with children under the age of 17. In some instances an offender may have supervised contact with a child, if in the presence of an approved chaperon. Chaperons must attend chaperon classes and be approved by the sex offender officer prior to the sex offender being able to have supervised contact. The sex offender officers conduct frequent home visits on sex offenders and also approve the residences of all offenders. Offenders are prohibited from residing within 1000 feet of any location where children can congregate.
The department contracts with sex offender treatment providers (SOTP) to provide sex offender treatment for indigent offenders. The SOTP provides individual and group therapy for offenders. All sex offenders are required as a condition of supervision to report for a sex offender evaluation by a licensed therapist approved by the officer, including a psychological or psychiatric testing, clinical evaluation and a clinical/therapeutic polygraph if determined to be necessary. In addition, the sex offender is required to attend and participate in a counseling program recommended by the officer. The officers are in frequent contact with SOTP’s and also attend group sessions. Polygraph tests are administered regularly to determine if offenders have had contact with children or committed other violations of supervision
In Fiscal Year '99 a Chaperone Training Program was added to the program. The program consists of a two class, two hour training seminar designed to train potential chaperones. An offender who is court ordered to have a chaperone present when having contact with minors is required to find an individual that can go through this training and be appointed a chaperone. The individual is usually an adult family member and is screened by the Sex Offender Caseload Officers. Those that are approved as potential chaperones attend the seminar. Appointed Chaperones are required to attend the class initially, attend a refresher seminar in six months, then attend annual refresher courses.
