NCJ Number
184255
Journal
On Good Authority Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: December 1998 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
December 1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Cook County (Ill.) Adult Sex Offender Probation (ASOP) program implemented in 1996 is the first program of its kind in Illinois and includes three main components: (1) intensive supervision of offenders, (2) group therapy supplemented with individual counseling, and (3) a partnership between probation and treatment providers.
Abstract
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority provided a grant to initiate the program with Federal funds under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act. It awarded an additional grant to Loyola University Chicago in 1997 to conduct a process and impact evaluation on the program. The university plans to complete the evaluation study in 2000. The program targets offenders convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse or criminal sexual assault against a family member. The offender must live in Cook County and away from children, childcare facilities, or schools. The program design requires potential participants to complete a rigorous eligibility screening developed to control the nature and size of the caseload. The program started slowly and is now fully operating and beginning to accept cases at a more accelerated rate. Evaluators noted that the program must improve its compliance regarding the submission of data reports and other materials necessary for grant funding. Additional recommended improvements include re-examining the criteria for the target population when impact data become available and establishing uniform written guidelines that address graduated sanctions for noncompliance with treatment. Tables