Evaluation of DoD Correctional Facility Compliance with Military Sex Offender Notification Requirements
Abstract
In 1994, the Congress enacted the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (the Wetterling Act) requiring certain sex offender registrations and notifications to State and local law enforcement officials in the State where the sex offender resides, is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. The Departments of Commerce, Justice and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998 (CJSA) included military sex offenders under the Wetterling Act coverage and required notifications beginning 1 year after enactment. In addition, under the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982 (VWPA),when an offender is sentenced to confinement, the victim and certain witnesses of the crime are entitled to information concerning the confinement process and changes in confinement status. The custodial agency must provide each victim with general information regarding the corrections process, including information about work release, furlough, probation, and eligibility for each. After trial, and at the request of the victim or witness, the custodial official responsible for the actions must notify each requesting victim and witness, at the earliest possible date, of (a) the date on which the offender will be eligible for parole and any scheduled release hearing, (b) any escape, work release, furlough, or other form of release from custody, and (c) death of the offender while in custody. Objectives. Our primary objective for this evaluation was to determine whether the Department of Defense (DoD) satisfies its notification requirements for military sex offenders, including whether DoD and/or individual Service: regulatory guidance adequately address the legal requirement to notify State and local law enforcement and registration officials when a convicted military sex offender is released from confinement or is convicted but not confined, etc.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 26, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407436