Missouri RSOL Attends Sex Offender Management Committee Meeting

by Donna Conlin

On December 8, 2009, Missouri held its second Sex Offender Management Committee meeting in the Harry S. Truman building in Jefferson City. This is a sub-committee of the Department of Public Safety, under the management of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

As state affiliates, we felt it was very important to be in attendance. We had several RSOL supporters present. All in all, there were six of us who came with an eager ear to hear what the committee would be discussing.

There was representation from various law enforcement agencies, such as the sheriffs department, the Highway Patrol, the US Marshall's office, the Probation and Parole Department, local police departments, State Courts, Department of Public Safety which included a legislative liaison from that department. There were also members of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. To the best of my knowledge, they were not in attendance.

As provided under 610.021(14) and 610.100RSMo, the meeting was scheduled from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM the public was invited. From 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM the Board met in closed session.

The Board quickly went through a prepared itinerary. James Klahr (legislative liaison from the Department of Public Safety), said what prompted this meeting was further discussion of the Adam Walsh Act. He also noted that failure to establish the committee would bring Missouri out of compliance with the AWA, and by such failure to comply lose 10% of Byrne Grant Funding[1]. We were informed that the committee has no decision making authority, their function is solely advisory, passing recommendations to the legislature or legislators.

Although social networking, residency, loitering, establishing a tier system, and drafting legislation were on the agenda, most of the focus was on the need for Missouri to comply with the 3 tier system .I felt that the overall opinion of all in attendance was to agree with the 3 tier system. That was not necessarily the opinion of all the RSOL supporters who were in attendance. I could not help noticing that the goal seemed to be for harsher, and even stricter laws.

The organizations that were not in attendance were able to submit recommendations. One of the recommendations was to increase the size of the letters on the signs posted in the doors of sex offenders on Halloween! There was even discussion of officers needing extra money this time of year so, perhaps making the rounds to check on registered offenders would be beneficial. I wonder what Missouri tax payers would think about a committee discussing the size of letters and overtime?!

When the time was right, Dennis and I both spoke about the need for reform of the sex offender laws and the opportunity for a second chance. We also brought up the fact that too many non-violent offenders were taking up time and money on the registry.

Near the end of the meeting, we asked who appoints the members of the committee and how does a person become a member. We were told members were "recommended." We mentioned that it seemed to be a very "weighted" law enforcement member base. We were told that there were also advocates for victims on the board. At that time I asked if there could be advocates for reform on the board. It became very quiet. Carolyn Kampeter (DPS), told us that the committee would consider that issue. When I asked who had the power to enact the Adam Walsh Act in the state of Missouri, I was told, "the legislature." I then asked if the board had any input. A resounding "no" was the quick answer. However, Dennis reminded the committee that they started this meeting by informing us that the committee made recommendations. Again, there was a long silence.

I want everyone to understand that the meeting was not hostile in any way - that was not our intent. We wanted it to be made known that there are Missourians who want reform and we want to have a seat on the committee. I felt it was a successful meeting.

Afterward, I spoke with Carolyn Kampeter. She gave me her card and I told her I would be sending an email to formally request representation of advocates for reform of the current laws. Dennis spoke to Mike Force, Chief of the Lake St. Louis police. He gave Mike one of our business cards with our RSOL information. They will be in contact with each other to view and discuss Dennis' survey of the current so laws. Each RSOL supporter helped make an impact on all of those on the committee. All in all, we were heard. One of the last things I mentioned was a need for all sex offender restriction information to be in one spot on the internet with easy access.

It is important for Missouri and all other states who have a Sex Offender Management Board or Committee to push for a seat so that all sides are equally represented when it comes to making recommendations to the General Assembly. It is a good place to start.

1 - A study by The Justice Policy Institute on the cost to the states to comply with the AWA determines that compliance is not balanced by loss of 10% of Byrne Grant funding.

The full report is available here.

The data or Missouri, demonstrating that discussion of coming into compliance is fiscally irresponsible, is excerpted below.