REPORT DIGEST
SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT BOARD
COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION
For the Two Years Ended June 30, 2010
Summary of Findings:
Total this audit: 3
Total last audit: 2
Repeated from last audit: 2
Release Date: May 26, 2011
State of Illinois, Office of the Auditor General
WILLIAM G. HOLLAND, AUDITOR GENERAL
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INTRODUCTION
The Sex Offender Management Board (Board) was established by
the Sex Offender Management Board Act on July 22, 1997 to standardize the
evaluation, identification, counseling, and continued monitoring of sex
offenders at each stage of the criminal or juvenile justice systems or mental
health systems.
SYNOPSIS
• The Board did not develop tracking and monitoring systems
for sex offenders, nor did it establish a plan with timelines to develop those
systems.
• The Board did not develop and implement measures of success based on a no-cure policy for intervention.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FAILURE TO ESTABLISH OR PLAN FOR OFFENDER TRACKING SYSTEM
The Board did not develop systems for tracking sex offenders
and monitoring their behaviors as required by the Sex Offender Management Board
Act (Act). Further, the Board had not
established a plan or any timelines for compliance with these requirements, which
became effective January 1, 2004. As of
June 30, 2010, there were 10,039 registered Illinois sex offenders subject to
the tracking and monitoring requirement.
Management stated they have been unable to comply with the
mandate, which they view as a long-term goal, due to no staff, and limited
funding. (Finding 1, Pages 8-10)
We recommended the Board either develop a formal plan and
timeline for compliance with tracking and monitoring provisions of the Act or
seek statutory remedy pertaining to the legal requirement.
Board management agreed with the recommendation and noted
the Act does not include a statutory deadline for the planning and development
of an offender tracking system. Board management also stated current Illinois
law makes it extremely difficult for the Board to develop an offender tracking
system, and noted that statutory changes will be sought.
FAILURE TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT MEASURES OF SUCCESS
The Board did not develop and implement measures of success
based upon a no-cure policy for intervention as required by the Sex Offender
Management Board Act (Act). The Act
required implementation by December 31, 2001.
Board management stated implementation has not been feasible
due to lack of clarity of the Act, lack of funds and personnel. (Finding 2,
Pages 11-12)
We recommended the Board either develop and prescribe
measures of success based on a no-cure policy for intervention or seek
statutory remedy to the legal requirement.
Board management agreed with the recommendation, cited
impairments to developing success measures, and stated statutory changes will
be sought.
OTHER FINDING
The other finding is reportedly being addressed by the
Board. We will examine progress toward
implementing our recommendations in our next compliance examination.
AUDITORS’ OPINION
We conducted a compliance examination of the Board as required by the Illinois State Auditing Act. We have not audited any financial statements of the Board for the purpose of expressing an opinion because the Board does not, nor is it required to, prepare financial statements.
WILLIAM G. HOLLAND
Auditor General
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AUDITORS ASSIGNED
This examination was performed by staff of the Office of the Auditor General.