MN- Sex Offender risk levels

7-24-2009 Minnesota:

Most people have heard of a Level 1, Level 2 and a Level 3 sex offender, but many do not understand what the classifications mean.

These labels, as such, are only given to convicted sex offenders who have served time in prison. Before their release, a committee called the End of Confinement Review Committee assigns a risk level to each sex offender. The committee, which is made up of a group of psychologists, criminal justice professionals and victim advocates, determine what level of risk an individual is likely to re-offend, according to the City of Minneapolis Web site.

A Level 1 means the person is the least likely to commit another sex crime, and upon such a person’s release from prison, only local law enforcement officials, victims and witnesses are informed of the release or relocation.

Level 2 offenders are thought to pose a moderate risk to re-offend. Along with those who are informed when a Level 1 offender is released from prison, agencies that serve a population at risk of being victimized, and which are located near the offender’s home, are also notified of the Level 2 offender’s presence.

So, if the offender victimizes a child that he or she had access to at a day care, then day care businesses close to the offender’s home would be notified.

Sex offenders most likely to commit another sex-based crime upon release from prison are labeled a Level 3 sex offender. Aside from those notified in the case of a Level 1 or Level 2, the general public is made aware of the Level 3 offender’s presence in the area.

In Minneapolis, everyone living within a three-block radius of the offender’s home is notified via a flyer that has the person’s photo and address. (Check with your city or county to see what that radius is for where you live.) A community meeting is also held by law enforcement where residents can ask questions and raise concerns they might have concerning risks posed by the sex offender.

The vast majority of convicted sex offenders are assigned Level 1 and Level 2 risk status, and Jacob Wetterling Resource Center Director Nancy Sabine says less that 10 percent of all sexual harm is caused by these convicted sex offenders.

“The vast majority,” Sabine adds, “are unreported and caused by never-convicted offenders. They are people we know and trust, and that’s the hard part people hate to hear, but it’s true.”

The Minnesota Department of Corrections supports Sabine’s statements. Its Web site says, “Over 90 percent of all convicted sex offenders knew their victims prior to sexually assaulting them. Contrary to popular belief, most sex offenders do not assault strangers. They look like anyone else. They are our friends, family members, and community leaders. They are most often people we know and trust.” ..Source.. by Star News