Story Created:
Jul 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 7, 2009 at 6:17 PM CDT
Oklahoma is faced with limited resources to treat the number of incarcerated sex offenders.
"It would be $280,000 just in salary and benefits for employees. Plus, you'd need new program space so a new building would need to be constructed," said Jerry Massie, Spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
"The main reason we're not getting the resources is the obvious budget crunch we're all under and again, it's probably not the most popular program out there," said Mark Bailey, Trial Attorney.
The state has more than 3,000 sex offenders in state prisons, but there's only enough room to hold up to 55 inmates in the treatment program.
"We have 3,500 people doing time for sex offenses and not all of those people will go through that treatment program. Some will be leaving the system without participating in the program," added Massie.
That means sex offenders could be dismissed without proper therapy. Bailey said that Oklahoma is the only state that does not force sex offenders to receive treatment.
"However, it can be mandated as part of their condition of their probation," said Bailey.
The State Department of Corrections implements a sex offender education class, but that does not guarantee them a spot in its treatment program.
The department gives first concern to inmates who are closest to finishing their terms.
"We try to prioritize it based on the seriousness of the offense as well," said Massie.
Massie said there's not much they can do to expand the program, resulting in untreated sex offenders released from prison.
The treatment programs give sex offenders a detailed plan to prevent another offense. Depending on the risk of the sex offender, treatment lasts about 12 to 16 months.
