State of Alaska > DOC > Probation & Parole

Sex Offender Monitoring Program

Statewide Sex Offender PO IV:
Ed Webster

550 West 7th Ave., Suite 601
Anchorage, AK 99501

907-269-7377
907-269-7365 (fax)

The Division of Probation and Parole established a Sexual Predator Working Group in 1997 to develop strategies to supervise sex offenders as a specific group of offenders in need of special management practices.

New and creative strategies have been initiated that emphasize individualized case management. Case management refers to the coordination and implementation of a cluster of activities directed toward supervision, treatment and management of the behavior of an individual sex offender. The aim of this new approach is to improve the system-wide management of sex offenders in the community for the purpose of holding the offender consistently accountable for the damage caused by sexual abuse.

The Division of Probation and Parole ensures that the offender complies with court-mandated supervision conditions. Through treatment and behavior modification, sex offenders are taught to achieve personal control of their inappropriate impulses, feelings and behaviors.

Definition of a Sex Offender

A sex offender is a person who is convicted of one or more of Alaska's laws relating to sexual behavior. Charges range from felony to misdemeanor and include offenders convicted of sexual offenses in other states but residing in Alaska.

Sex Offender Monitoring


	On-going audits of sex offender cases under DCC supervision. Audits assure "best practices" are appropriately focused on risk.

	Regular face-to-face contacts.

	Specialized officers and surveillance.

	Supplemental Surveillance Program at specific sites to determine compliance with supervision.

	Unannounced home visits.

	Close coordination with treatment and criminal justice agencies.

	Regular case staffing with service professionals involved with the offender.

	Small caseloads are maintained where resources allow.

	Sex offender risk assessment tools tied to supervision plans that are designed to reduce the incidence of reoffending and the associated level of harm.
	Alaska has been selected as a research site for the Sex Offender Need Assessment Rating (SONAR) and has implemented the Static-99. The SONAR evaluates change in risk among sex offenders.

	On-going assessment of staff training needs are identified using emerging knowledge about effective practices in addressing sex offending behavior.

	Home and vehicle search of offender.

	Rapid response to violation behavior.

	Development of Sex Offender Risk Management Teams at specific sites.

	Restriction of movement.

	Screening of sex offenders requesting interstate transfer to Alaska

Sex Offender Treatment


	Treatment provider is an integral part of the continuum of the criminal justice system.

	Treatment providers require admission of guilt and the offender is held accountable for sexually deviant behavior.

	Relapse prevention plan.

	Teach offenders cognitive behavioral skills.

Sexual Offender Monitoring Program Open Exchange of Information


	Interagency collaboration among criminal justice agencies and universal release of information

	Community notification

	Sex offender registration through Public Safety

	Victim awareness

Interagency Sex Offender Working Group (ISOWG)


	The mission is to improve interagency coordination, policy, practices and other methods for managing sex offender risk to victims and potential victims.

	Member agencies include Corrections, Law, Public Safety, the Division of Family and Youth Services, Federal Probation, and Council on Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse.

	Compliments Alaska's Interdepartmental Child Abuse Agreement as a primary responsibility of ISOWG is to serve as an immediate interagency response system to reduce the risk of harm to victims.

Sexual Predator Working Group (SPWG)


	The group consists of probation officers and institutional staff across the state that works with sex offenders.

	The mission is to develop policies, practices, treatment and other methods of managing risk to the public from sexual predators and to establish consistent guidelines in managing sex offenders.