Sex Offender Reentry in North DakotaLeann K. Bertsch, DirectorND Dept. of Corrections & Rehabilitation

History of DOCR Program• Nov 22nd 2003 Dru Sjodin disappears• Early 2004 Governor Hoeven institutes a sex

offender research task force• Apply for technical assistance from Center for Sex

Offender Management (CSOM) national consultants ▫ Sex Offender Specialists▫ Pre-sentence Investigations done by SOS▫ More assessments

• DOCR Parole and Probation establish the sex offender supervision program

• September 2004 new program running

The Big Picture in North Dakota•In the last biennium, of about 2000 adult

inmates received by the DOCR, about 260 were sex offenders. Most were also seen psychiatrically and approximately half had substance abuse referrals.

•Currently, there are 425 sex offenders being overseen in the communities by Probation & Parole.

•In the last biennium, about 125 sex offenders had their probations revoked.

Dru Sjodin, a student at the University of North Dakota, was abducted and killed in November 2003. (Minnesota Public Radio file photo) – February 8, 2007

Judge sentences Alfonso Rodriguez, Jr. to death

by Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio

February 8, 2007

A federal judge in Fargo fought back tears Thursday as he imposed the death sentence Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., who was convicted last fall for abducting and killing college student Dru Sjodin. The convicted sex offender committed the crime shortly after he was released from a Minnesota prison.

Most will be released to probation. Release without probation is infrequent. Currently have 425 under supervision. While revocations are not uncommon, new sex offenses are very unlikely.

Kirsten Plessas, Minot

Loralyn Waltz, Grand Forks

Barb Breiland, SO Unit

Manager, Fargo

Duane Johnson and Tony Soupir,

Bismarck

Tad Granmoe, Jamestown

Sherrie Prochnow and

Rob Sanderson,

Fargo

The DOCR has Sex Offender Specialist probation officers throughout the state.

Lloyd Haagenson,

Williston

The DOCR has Sex Offender Specialist Liaisons in less populated areas of the state.

Liza Koenings, Dickinson

Terry Grumbo, Washburn

Lila Thomas, Rolla

Rob Parsons, Grafton

Renae Elshaug, Devils

Lake

Heidi Arnhalt, Wahpeton

Heather Howe, SO Spec

Liaison, Rugby

GPS monitoring is also utilized throughout the state with some higher risk sex offender probationers.

Prior to Release

•Monthly list prepared by TPS•Information needing to be determined:

▫Who is being released? When?▫Need to be revoked? (judgment/SO tx)▫Criminal Judgment: Conditions needed – GPS,

Sex Offender Condition, no contact with… ▫Officer assignment▫Housing…appropriate?▫Location of treatment program▫Reporting instructions sent to inmates

•Sex Offender Conditions – needed!•Assessments:

▫MnSOST-R (Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool-Revised)

▫Static 99-R▫Stable 2007▫Acute 2007▫LSI-R (Level of Service Inventory-Revised)

Containment Model

•We can’t do it alone! We Need help!•Most effective manner of supervising sex

offenders and keeping community safe—and no more victims!

•Includes: Probation Officer, Therapist, Polygraph Operator, and Victim Advocate

•Sex Offender Containment Task Forces (SOCTF): Located in Grand Forks, Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, and Minot

Registration of Sex Offenders• Have 3 days to register residence, work/school,

vehicle, email address, and online name▫ 3-page form completed at local law enforcement in

town or county the offender lives and/or works▫ Have 3 days to register with law enforcement in

town or county the offender resides▫ Have 3 days to make changes in the above▫ Must notify LE 10 days prior to assuming new

address• SORAC (Sex Offender Risk Assessment Committee)

– Attorney General makes appointments to committee…meet monthly…determines risk level of all registering sex offenders

Today Show on Sex Offender Reentry

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32473237#32473237

Bismarck Tribune 9/30/2010

Vacant Fargo home proposed to help turn lives around

http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/29600/

Limited short-term housing exists on NDSP property. “Little house on the prairie.”

House Rules• SEX OFFENDER HOUSING• RULES:• All residents will be on GPS monitoring.• No tobacco, alcohol, drugs, firearms or weapons allowed on the property.• Curfew is 8:00 PM until 7:00 AM daily. Any changes in curfew need to be approved by the supervising officer.• No guests allowed.• No contact with children or minors.• No pornography or sexually stimulating materials.• Maintain all sex offender registration as required by law.• Financially responsible for any damages to the property. In the event no one claims responsibility for the damage all tenants will be

assessed the damage costs. • You will be required to pay $7 dollars per day to live at this residence. This money is due every Friday and made payable to DOCR you

will need to deliver the money to the Parole and Probation office. (Check or Money Order only)• If unemployed, a list of all employee contacts must be turned in each Friday to the Probation Office with the results of each contact

made.• Attend sex offender treatment and any other treatment/counseling as required and/or recommended.• Attend AA/NA//SA/SAA support groups as required.• No pets allowed.• You are not entitled to a 30 day eviction notice, this agreement is day to day living arrangements, you may be asked to leave at

anytime.• You may not obtain cable, phone service or internet service. (You may obtain your own cell phone.)• Comply with all terms and conditions of your Appendix A of your Criminal Judgment. • You will be subject to search at any time during the day or night by any Parole/ Probation Officer or designee.• DOCR is not responsible for lost/stolen items.• There is no contact with NDSP staff or Inmates- any violations may result in eviction and/or arrest.• You will not travel into restricted areas on the grounds of NDSP as instructed by your Probation Officer.• Other: ________________________________________________________________• Failure to follow the above rules will lead to your eviction and/or incarceration. • I understand and agree to abide by all the rules.• _______________________________ _______________________________• Offender Date• ________________________________ _______________________________• Parole/Probation Officer Date

Now Renting!Grandmas House, LLC114 N. 3rd St, Bismarck

595-1483All applications will be considered, including felons and sex offenders.*No drinking parties, drugs or troublemakers will be tolerated.*

Supervision of Civilly Committed Sex Offenders in the Community•ND has had civil commitment for sexually

dangerous individuals since 1997.•Within last few years, SDI have been

released from institution into community without supervision.

•2011 Legislative Session – Authority and responsibility to Parole and Probation to supervise SDI’s in the Community

The NDSH SOTEP patient population has leveled off, having grown rapidly in the aftermath of the

Dru Sjodin case.