Justice and Public Safety Cabinet
Probation & Parole Officers train on tracking computer use of sex offenders

Frankfort, KY – Next week, Probation & Parole Officers from every district in the state, along with several other Corrections’ staff, will attend a training seminar led by a nationally-recognized expert in the field of cyber crime and the use of technology in sex offender management, Dr. Jim Tanner.

The training, “Managing Sex Offenders’ Computer Use” at the Rural Center in Somerset, is being providing by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Training Center out of Denver, Colorado in association with the American Probation and Parole Association and Denver University.   

The Kentucky Department of Corrections was one of the first departments to endorse the development of computer software that can be utilized to monitor the computer use of sex offenders. As a result of this early endorsement, Kentucky is the first state in the nation to have this training offered locally - previous sessions have only been held in Denver. 

The Division of Probation & Parole is currently implementing the use of specialized sex offender supervision officers throughout the state and has been providing them with the latest technology to ensure the effective supervision of this population in order to protect the citizens of this Commonwealth. 

“As a result of my recent work with the Kentucky Coalition Against Sexual Assaults (KCASA), I became convinced of the need for greater supervision of sex offenders,” said John D. Rees, commissioner of the Department of Corrections. Rees served on the task force that recently presented a list of recommendations to Lt. Governor Stephen B. Pence on how to strengthen the state’s sexual predator laws. Pence spearheaded the coalition in April and charged the coalition to develop a comprehensive plan that will serve as the basis for proposed legislation in the upcoming legislative session.

“Our specially-trained Probation & Parole Officers will be better prepared to monitor the emerging threat of sex offenders in our communities as a result of this training and the proposals offered by KCASA,” said Rees.

In addition to the training to be held in Somerset, Probation & Parole Officers and other key DOC staff will be attending training in late November in Louisville sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Center for Sex Offender Management out of Silver Springs, Maryland.