THOMAS J. VILSACK, GOVERNOR
SALLY J. PEDERSON, LT. GOVERNOR

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
GARY D. MAYNARD, DIRECTOR

Iowa Department of Corrections
Report to the Board of Corrections

Sex Offenders 

Third in a series of reports highlighting issues
contributing to corrections population growth

April 2006

Introduction 
Twenty years ago, about 12% of Iowa’s prison population was serving time for a sex
offense as their most serious offense.1 Little change has occurred in this percentage to
date; as documented in these pages, sex offenders now make up about 13% of the prison
population, as their most serious offense.
That stability is expected to change in the coming years, due to passage of legislation that
increases time served in prison for certain sex offenders, and lengthens the period of
community-based supervision. The Violent Crime Initiative (Iowa Code section 902.12)
effective July 1, 1996 abolished parole and most of the earned time for Sexual Abuse-2nd
degree (as well as several other offenses). Although changes have been enacted to permit
parole consideration after 70% of the maximum terms are served, the first of these
offenders will not be eligible for parole until 2015.2 House File 619 provisions effective
July 1, 2005 created a new Class A felony, provided for loss of earned time for refusing
sex offender treatment, enhanced certain provisions related to lascivious acts with a child,
and created an additional special sentence of parole.3 These and other legislative changes
discussed in this report will substantially increase sex offender populations in Iowa’s
community-based corrections and prison systems in the long-term.
In addition to the expected increase in sex offender populations, legislation has also
added new restrictions and requirements for sex offenders. For example, certain
offenders whose crimes were against minors are now required to be supervised for a
minimum of five years on electronic monitoring (EMS). As described in this report, the
use of EMS for sex offenders has substantially increased as a result of this requirement.
A Sex Offender Treatment and Supervision Task Force staffed by the Division of
Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning was established to study electronic monitoring
and other issues, and their work to date is summarized in this report.
This report begins with the prevalence and projected growth of offenders convicted of
sex crimes within Iowa’s community-based corrections and prison populations, then
describes how the Iowa Department of Corrections is addressing sex offenders’ issues
through the provision of treatment and management strategies. Except where noted,
information was obtained from the Iowa Corrections Offender Network (ICON) with
many of the reports obtained via the Iowa Justice Data Warehouse.

1

Bureau of Management Information, Research and Statistics Section, Report Series E-2 (Iowa Department
of Human Services, June 30, 1985), 9. Information for institutions was adjusted to exclude work release
counts, which used to be included in those totals.
2
Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, Iowa Prison Population Forecast: FY2005-2015
(Iowa Department of Human Rights, 2005), 7. The report is published on the Internet at:
http://www.state.ia.us/dhr/cjjp/images/pdf/Forceast_2005-2015.pdf.
3
Fiscal Services Division, Legislative Services Agency (HF 619 - Sex Offender Registry, Supervision, and
Data Base Task Force (LSB 2527 HV.3, May 11, 2005), 6. This fiscal note is published on the Internet at:
http://www3.legis.state.ia.us/fiscalnotes/data/81_2527HVv3_FN.pdf. LSA Fiscal Note for HF 619, 5.

1

Table of Contents 
 

Introduction  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sex Crimes  
Community‐Based Corrections   
 
 
Prisons 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sex Offenders: Projected Growth  
Community‐Based Corrections   
 
 
Prisons 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corrections Strategy: Assessment & Treatment 
 
 
Effective Sex Offender Treatment 
 
 
 
 
Sex Offender Program 
 
Community‐Based Corrections   
 
 
Prisons 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outcomes: Program Completion Rates   
 
 
Sex Offender Civil Commitment  
 
 
 
 
Community‐Based Corrections Management Strategies 
Intensive Sex Offender Supervision   
 
Electronic Monitoring 
 
 
 
 
 
Types of Electronic Monitoring   
 
 
 
 
Iowa Sex Offender Treatment & Supervision Task Force 
 
Commitment to Evidence‐Based Practices 
 
 
Appendix: Fiscal Note for House File 619 

 

 

 

 

  1 

 
 

 
 

  3 
  4 

 
 

 
 

  5 
  6 

 

 

  7 

 

 

  8 

 
 
 

 
 
 

  9 
10 
11 

 

 

12 

 
 
 

 
 

13 
14 

 

 

15 

 

 

16 

 

 

17 

 

 

18 

Lettie Prell, Director of Research, wrote this report. Statistics and charts were compiled by
Sondra Holck, Mangement Analyst, and Ms. Prell. Anne Brown, Executive Officer, provided
input into the report’s contents. Special thanks to Paul Stageberg and Phyllis Blood with the
Division of Criminal & Juvenile Justice Planning, Iowa Department of Human Rights, for
providing information and technical assistance regarding future growth of sex offender
populations in the correctional system.

2

Sex Crimes 
Community‐Based Corrections 
On June 30, 2005 there were 30,281 offenders under supervision by the district
departments of correctional services. Of these, 699 were under supervision for sex
offenses (as their most serious offense). Additional offenders under supervision for
other types of crimes may also be on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, and receive
specialized treatment and supervision along with other sex offenders.
CBC Population
Mid-Year 2005
Public Order
30.2%

Drug
29.2%

Sex Crimes
2.3%

Property
25.8%

Other Violent
10.7%
Other
1.7%

Only thirty sex offenders under supervision at midyear 2005 were women, compared to
over 660 male offenders.

CBC Population: Females
Mid-Year 2005

CBC Population: Males
Mid-Year 2005

Public Order
23.2%

Drug
30.6%

Sex Crimes
0.4%

Public Order
32.5%
Drug
28.9%

Other Violent
8.4%

Sex Crimes
2.9%

Other
1.6%
Property
35.8%

Property
22.5%

Other Violent
11.5%

Other
1.8%

Total females: 7,476; Total males: 22,752. Missing sex identifiers: 53, which were excluded from sex-specific
charts but included in CBC totals.

3

Sex Crimes 
Prisons 
On June 30, 2005 Iowa’s prisons held 8,578 offenders. Of these, 1,115 were incarcerated
for sex offenses (as their most serious offense). Additional offenders are incarcerated
whose most serious offense is not a sex offense, but receive sex offender treatment
due to the nature of their crime, or past offenses.
Prison Population
Mid-Year 2005
Sex Crimes
13.4%
Public Order
6.5%

Other Violent
27.4%

Other
4.2%
Drug
26.9%
Property
21.6%

Just eighteen sex offenders incarcerated at midyear 2005 were women, compared to
1,097 men serving time for a sex crime as their most serious offense.
Prison Population: Females
Mid-Year 2005
Sex Crimes
2.5%
Public Order
7.1%

Other Violent
22.2%
Other
3.2%

Prison Population: Males
Mid-Year 2005
Sex Crimes
14.4%

Other Violent
27.9%

Public Order
6.4%
Other
4.4%

Drug
34.6%

Property
30.4%

Drug
26.2%

Property
20.7%

4

Sex Offenders: Projected Growth 
Community‐Based Corrections 
Legislative changes effective July 1, 2005 are expected to have a substantial effect on the
number of sex offenders under community-based corrections supervision. Certain sex
offenders convicted of a Class C felony or greater offense will receive a special sentence
to lifetime supervision, in addition to the regular penalty provided by law. Certain sex
offenders convicted of a misdemeanor or Class D felony will receive a special sentence
of ten years under supervision, in addition to the regular penalty provided by law.4
On June 30, 2005 there were 699 offenders under community-based corrections
supervision for sex offenses (as their most serious offense). Over the next eight years,
based on the special sentences alone, estimates project an additional 2,526 sex offenders
under supervision.5

Projected Growth in CBC Population
3,000
2,526
Additional Offenders

2,500
2,043
2,000
1,563
1,500
1,077
1,000
599
500

298
0

0

FY2006

FY2007

0
FY2008

FY2009

FY2010

FY2011

FY2012

FY2013

Impact of Iowa Code 903B.1 & 903B.2

4

Iowa General Assembly, 2005 Merged Iowa Code and Supplement (State of Iowa 2005), §903B.1 and
§903B.2. The Iowa Code is available on the Internet at: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IowaLaw.html.
5
LSA Fiscal Note for HF 619, 5.

5

Sex Offenders: Projected Growth 
Prisons 
The Violent Crime Initiative (Iowa Code §902.12) effective July 1, 1996 abolished parole
and most of the earned time for Sexual Abuse-2nd degree (as well as several other
offenses). Although changes have been enacted to permit parole consideration after 70%
of the maximum terms are served, the first of these offenders will not be eligible for
parole until 2015.6 As of June 30, 2005, there were 137 offenders serving terms for
Sexual Abuse-2nd degree subject to these provisions.
A Sexually Violent Predator Law (Iowa Code Chapter 901A) was also made effective
July 1, 1996, which increased maximum penalties for certain repeat sex offenses and also
abolished parole and most of the earned time for these offenders. As of June 30, 2005,
there were 27 offenders serving terms for these offenses.
Legislative changes effective July 1, 2005 created a new Class A felony, provided for
loss of earned time for refusing sex offender treatment, enhanced certain provisions
related to lascivious acts with a child, and created an additional special sentence of parole
(see previous section on projected growth in community-based corrections populations).7
On June 30, 2005 Iowa’s prisons held 1,119 sex offenders (based on most serious
offense). Over the next eight years, estimates project an additional 319 sex offenders due
to the 2005 legislative changes alone.8 The Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice
Planning further estimates that as of June 30, 2015 there will be 404 sex offenders
incarcerated under the 1996 legislative changes, taking out the previous sex offenders
subject to these laws who will now become Class A felons per provisions enacted in
2005. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the growth in sex offenders over the
next ten years will about fill a 750-bed prison. Further impacts may be realized if
proposed legislation currently being debated become law.

6

CJJP Forecast, 7.
LSA Fiscal Note for HF 619, 6.
8
Ibid., 6.
7

6

Corrections Strategy: Assessment & Treatment  
When admitted to CBC supervision or the prison system, offender risk and needs are
assessed. Many needs are criminogenic, that is, they are issues that if left unaddressed,
will contribute to an offender’s likelihood to reoffend. In this way, risk and needs are
closely related.
The corrections system does four fundamental things. The first three, basic life care for
offenders, risk identification and risk management, cover the bases of managing
offenders. However, only risk reduction “hits a home run” to significantly affect
offender outcomes and community safety, and improve the state’s return on investment in
corrections spending.
Risk Identification

Risk
Management

Basic
Life Care

“Coach:”
Resource
Management

Risk Reduction

According to research conducted in Iowa by the Division of Criminal and Juvenile
Justice Planning, offenders successfully completing sex offender treatment have lower
rates of rearrest for sex offenses than other offenders, particularly those who receive no
treatment, refused treatment, or were denied treatment.9 While these findings should be
viewed with caution (offenders were followed for only about two years on average),
appropriate treatment for sex offenders appears to be an important risk reduction strategy
for this population.
Recidivism by Sex Offender
Counseling/Treatment Category

Successful Completion
Continuing Treatment
Partial Completion
Unsuccessful Termination
No Treatment
Refused/Denied Treatment
Totals

Total in
Sample

New Arrest
for Sex Crime

276
536
63
61
63
108
1,107

0.7%
2.8%
1.6%
1.6%
3.2%
4.6%
2.3%

Source: Sex offender study data collection forms, Iowa Computerized
Criminal History Records, Interstate Identification Index, compiled by
Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning
9

Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, Statistical Overview of Crime and Justice in Iowa
(Iowa Department of Human Rights, 2004) unnumbered e-report page, published on the Internet at:
http://www.state.ia.us/dhr/cjjp/images/pdf/plan_04/SexReg2.pdf.

7

Effective Sex Offender Treatment 10 
Emerging practice embraces the importance of having these offenders involved in sex
offender-specific treatment as a condition of their supervision. Characteristics of current
sex offender-specific treatment methods are:
¾ Group Treatment
¾ Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
¾ Psychopharmacology (use of medications)
¾ Specialized Sex Offender Assessment
¾ Psycho-physiological Assessments (i.e. Polygraph, Penile Plethysmograph, Abel
Assessment of Sexual Interest)
The most widely accepted mode of treatment in use today with sex offenders is cognitivebehavioral (applied in a group setting)*. Cognitive-behavioral treatment addresses both
cognitions – that is, the thoughts – and the behavior of offenders.
Although no one particular program or sex offender curriculum has been shown to be
effective in reducing sex offender recidivism, several meta-analyses (Aos et. al, 2001;
Hall, 1995; Hanson et al., 2002; and Redondo et al, 2002) have all demonstrated
significant treatment effects using the cognitive-behavioral techniques. (The sex offender
curricula selected for the Iowa Sex Offender Treatment Curriculum each utilize these
techniques in various forms.) It should be noted that many researchers challenge the
results of these meta-analyses due to the lack of controls in the studies these metaanalyses use. Currently there is significant debate about the effectiveness of treatment on
reducing recidivism, with some support for long-term treatment (more than two years)
and almost no support for short-term treatment.
Guidelines for sex offender treatment components for Iowa sex offender programs are as
follows:
¾ Treatment responsibility
¾ Victim awareness/empathy enhancement
¾ Cognitive restructuring (challenging and changing thoughts that are supportive of
abusive behavior)
¾ Managing deviant sexual arousal
¾ Relapse prevention
¾ Sexuality (identifying and addressing core beliefs that contributed to offending)
¾ Relationship and interpersonal skills
¾ Continuing care
* Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, 2005; Becker and Murphy, 1998, Laws, Ward and
Hudson, 2003; Marshall, Anderson, and Fernandez, 1999 and Schwartz, 2003.

10

The first three paragraphs on this page are excerpted verbatim from Iowa Board for the Treatment of
Sexual Abusers, Sex Offender Treatment Curriculum Guideline (2006), 2. Guideline sex offender
treatment components in the last paragraph are summarized from pp. 4-16 of the report.

8

Sex Offender Program 
Community‐Based Corrections 
As used in this report, “total served” refers to offenders in an intervention program at the
beginning of the year, plus new admissions into the intervention. During FY2005, a total
of 1,018 offenders participated in sex offender programs (this is “total served”).
The majority of offenders served in sex offender programs during FY2005 had a sex
offense as their most serious offense. Most were male Caucasians.
CBC Sex Offender Program Participants
by Region: Total Served FY 2005
1JD
15.7%

8JD
13.7%

CBC Sex Offender Program Participants
by Offense: Total Served FY 2005

2JD
15.9%
3JD
1.6%
4JD
3.9%

Sex Crimes
69.4%
All Other
24.7%

7JD
7.7%
6JD
11.8%

Other
Violent
6.0%

5JD
29.8%

CBC Sex Offender Program Participants
by Race/Ethnicity: Total Served FY 2005

CBC Sex Offender Program Participants
by Sex: Total Served FY 2005

Male
97.5%
White
88.4%

Native Amer,
Asian
1.5%
Black
7.7%
Latino
2.5%

Female
2.5%

9

Sex Offender Program 
Prisons 
Sex offender treatment in institutions is offered at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility,
for both male and female offenders. In addition to the regular program, a “special needs”
program serves low-functioning individuals.
During FY2005, a total of 202 offenders participated in Mt. Pleasant’s sex offender
programs. The majority of offenders served in sex offender programs during FY2005
had a sex offense as their most serious offense. Most were male Caucasians.
Prison Sex Offender Program Participants
by Program Type: Total Served FY 2005

Sex
Offender
Program
76.7%

Sex
Offender
Program Special
Needs
23.3%

Prison Sex Offender Program Participants
by Offense: Total Served FY 2005

Sex Crimes
87.1%

All Other
10.4%
Other
Violent
2.5%

Prison Sex Offender Program Participants
by Race/Ethnicity: Total Served FY 2005
Native Amer,
Asian
5.4%

White
79.2%

Prison Sex Offender Program Participants
by Sex: Total Served FY 2005

Male
95.0%

Black
12.4%

Latino
3.0%

Female
5.0%

House File 619 enacted provisions effective July 1, 2005 that specify an inmate required
to participate in sex offender treatment shall not be eligible for earned time unless they
participate in and complete the treatment. In response, the Iowa Department of
Corrections has established a “deniers unit” at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility for
offenders not yet willing to participate in required sex offender treatment.

10

Outcomes: Program Completion Rates 
Sex offender treatment providers endeavor to ensure the success of offender participants,
including keeping participants in the program wherever possible. Rates of successful
completion are one way to assess how well programs are performing their mission.
However, lower completion rates may be an indicator that a higher risk offender is being
served by a particular program, compared with others. Because offender risk may vary
from program to program, outcome evaluations are an important way to assess whether a
particular program is effective.
Rates of successful completion of sex offender treatment observed in the chart below
appear to reflect the challenges of working with this population.

Sex Offender Program Completion Rates

Prisons - Special
Needs

53%

Prisons - Regular

42%

54%

CBC

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

% Successful Completion

NOTE: Data for community-based corrections (CBC) is for FY2005. Prison data is for July through
March, FY2006 because methods for data entry were changed beginning this year.

11

Sex Offender Civil Commitment 
Although sex offender civil commitment is an Iowa Department of Human Services
responsibility, the process begins with involvement of the Iowa Department of
Corrections, and is worthy of mention in this report as an important component of the
state’s response to address sex offending behavior.
According to the Iowa Department of Human Services, there are currently 57 patients in
the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders (CCUSO).
Pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 229A, all sex offenders committed to the custody of the
Department of Corrections are screened and evaluated for the purpose of determining if
they meet the criteria for sexually violent predator. The Director’s Review Committee
(DRC) refers offenders who appear to meet the criteria to the Multidisciplinary Team
(MDT) for further assessment prior to a referral to the Attorney General’s office to
determine whether civil commitment proceedings will be pursued.
Criteria for considering whether to refer an offender to the MDT are:
¾ The offender is currently serving a sentence for a sexually violent offense as
defined in Chapter 229A.
¾ The offender has any Axis I or II diagnosis or diagnostic impression with
particular emphasis on, but not limited to the following: antisocial personality
disorder, pedophilia, a sexual paraphilia, sexual masochism, exhibitionism, sexual
sadism, or any psychotic mental disorder,
¾ The offender presents a history of random sexual aggression or has reoffended by
committing a new sex offense following intervention, supporting the conclusion
that the offender is sexually violent.
¾ The offender has been uncooperative about completing sex offender treatment.
¾ The offender has received a discipline report for sexual misconduct and has a
prior conviction for an offense defined as sexually violent in Chapter 229A.

12

Community Based Corrections Management Strategies 
Intensive Sex Offender Supervision 
During FY2005, 898 offenders were managed for at least part of the year in an intensive
sex offender supervision program for sex offenders. Please note that other sex
offenders may have been in other intensive supervision programs not specific to sex
offenders. As with sex offenders in general, the majority of offenders had a sex offense
as their most serious offense, and most were male Caucasians.

Intensive Sex Offender Supervision
by Region: Total Served FY 2005
1JD
19.0%

2JD
25.7%

4JD
0.1%

7JD
8.6%

6JD
15.5%

Sex Crimes
66.7%
All Other
26.2%

Other
Violent
7.1%

5JD
31.1%

Intensive Sex Offender Supervision
by Race/Ethnicity: Total Served FY 2005

White
85.2%

Intensive Sex Offender Supervision
by Offense: Total Served FY 2005

Native Amer,
Asian
2.0%

Intensive Sex Offender Supervision
by Sex: Total Served FY 2005

Male
97.3%

Black
8.6%
Latino
4.2%

Female
2.7%

13

Community Based Corrections Management Strategies 
Electronic Monitoring 
Legislative changes effective July 1, 2005 mandated a minimum of five years on
electronic monitoring (EMS) for certain offenders committing crimes against minors.11
On December 30, 2004 there were 28 offenders on EMS statewide whose most serious
offense was a sex offense. This number has grown by more than tenfold. As of February
28, 2006, there were 316 offenders on EMS whose most serious offense was a sex
offense, and 40 other sex offenders who were on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry and/or
received sex offender treatment while under correctional supervision. This results in a
total of 356 sex offenders on EMS as of February 28, 2006.

EMS by Region:
February 28, 2006 Population
1JD
13.5%

2JD
11.1%

8 JD
9.2%

EMS by Offender Type/Status:
February 28, 2006 Population

3JD
14.6%
Sex Offense Most Serious
Crime
68.8%

4JD
6.1%

7JD
9.2%

Other Sex
Offenders*
8.7%

Not on Sex
Offender
Registry
22.4%

5JD
19.0%
6JD
17.4%

EMS by Type of EMS
February 28, 2006 Population
Radio
Frequency
54.5%

Global
Positioning Satellite
1.1%

11

Video
Display Breath
Alcohol
Test**
9.4%

* (Above) Other Sex Offenders were identified based on
whether they were on the Iowa sex offender registry, and/or
receiving specialized sex offender supervision or treatment.

** (Left) Some of these offenders receive Radio Frequency
monitoring in addition to this type of EMS.

Voice
Verification
35.1%

2005 Merged Iowa Code and Supplement, § 692A.4A.

14

Types of Electronic Monitoring 
The following types of electronic monitoring are currently in use by the Iowa Department
of Corrections (DOC):
Radio Frequency. A monitoring receiver unit in the home is attached to the offender’s
phone and plugged into the phone jack as well as an electrical outlet. The offender wears
a waterproof transmitter on the ankle that detects and alerts for tampering (for example, if
the strap is opened or cut, or if the transmitter is not against the skin). This unit monitors
the offender’s arrivals and departures and is useful in assessing curfew compliance.
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). The offender wears the Radio Frequency transmitter
described above. Additionally, this system reports: a) time and date of arrival and
departure from home; b) the travel path and times while out of the home; c) any removal
or tampering of the transmitter or monitoring unit; and d) any violations of exclusion
zone criteria (designated area(s) the offender is restricted from entering, such as a
victim’s home). This unit will report in as soon as the offender arrives home. A cell
phone can be added to provide capability for immediate reporting.
Video Display/Breath Alcohol Test. A video display telephone in the home allows for
visual verification of the offender’s presence as well as confirmation of offender identity
during the breath alcohol content test. This system is primarily used to assess compliance
with alcohol consumption restrictions as well as curfew. In some cases a Radio
Frequency transmitter is added to enhance monitoring of the offender’s arrivals and
departures.
Voice Verification. A voice print template is made of the offender’s voice. The offender
receives random or scheduled calls at home, and/or the offender calls in as required from
approved locations (such as work). No special equipment is needed by the offender to
receive or make calls. The system is used to verify the offender is meeting curfew
requirements, and/or is where they are supposed to be at a given time.
As shown on the previous page, there is little use of GPS systems in the state of Iowa to
date. Electronic monitoring and other issues related to sex offender supervision and
treatment are being studied by a statewide task force. The following section describes the
work of the task force and summarizes recommendations to date.

15

Iowa Sex Offender Treatment & Supervision Task Force12 
House File 619 effective July 1, 2005, required the Division of Criminal and Juvenile
Justice Planning to establish a task force to study and make periodic recommendations
for treating and supervising sex offenders in correctional institutions and in the
community. The study issues to be addressed by this task force are:
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾

Effectiveness of electronic monitoring
Updating addresses of persons on the sex offender registry
Risk assessment models created for sex offenders
Best treatment options available for sex offenders
Effects and costs associated with the new ten year or lifetime extended
supervision sentence

Among the recommendations made to date, the following have particular pertinence to
the Iowa Department of Corrections:
¾ Electronic Monitoring (EMS). The task force recommended a change in current
requirements, with one alternative being to permit probation and parole officers to
determine which sex offenders should be on EMS based on risk assessment and
other pertinent information according to guidelines to be established by the Iowa
Department of Corrections and district departments of correctional services.
The task force also recommended that prior to any blanket requirement for the use
of GPS EM (satellite-based offender tracking) for purposes of monitoring
offender compliance with exclusionary zone policies, the use of GPS EM for such
purposes should first be studied as a pilot project. Such a pilot project’s
implementation should include an evaluation of the effectiveness of such a
practice and an assessment of the viability of its being expanded.
¾ Sex Offender Registry. The task force recommended a pilot data exchange
activity to share address information between the Iowa Sex Offender Registry and
the Iowa Corrections Offender Network (ICON). Iowa Department of
Corrections analysis of persons on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry compared with
ICON information reveal that 1,444 or about 23.6% of the 6,107 registered sex
offenders are under community-based corrections field supervision, in
community-based residential facilities (including work release and OWI facilities)
or in prison as of February 28, 2006, based on the match criteria used.
The Iowa Department of Corrections is also completing two sex offender risk
assessments (Static-99 and ISORA8) on all sex offenders under supervision in
preparation for a validation study to determine the predictive value of each.
12

Much of the information on this page is summarized from Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice
Planning, Iowa Sex Offender Treatment and Supervision Task Force: Report to the Iowa General Assembly
(Iowa Department of Human Rights, 2006). This report is published on the Internet at:
http://www.state.ia.us/dhr/cjjp/images/pdf/SOTF%201-15-06%20Final%20Report.pdf.

16

Commitment to Evidence‐Based Practices 
The information showing lower recidivism rates for Iowa sex offenders who complete
treatment reported by the Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning, Iowa
Department of Human Rights (see p. 7) suggests that sex offender treatment works.
However, more study needs to be done. The Iowa Department of Corrections is
committed to further studies of our intervention programs to examine what works best
for offenders, with a goal of reducing recidivism.
Iowa Justice Data Warehouse development is underway to provide programming which
will readily track offenders following program completion, to study the outcome of their
supervision, and beyond. Already, a link between ICON and ICIS (Iowa State Court
Information System data) is able to match well over 90% of offenders between the two
systems. We are working to make outcome information available by intervention to
describe new charges and convictions occurring in the Iowa District Court following
program completion. Additionally, reports will be readily available to describe, for
offenders who are revoked from supervision, the most serious violations incurred leading
to the revocation.
The Iowa Department of Corrections is also currently working with a number of research
partners to study intervention programs in general.
All of these efforts have one goal in mind: to determine which programs work best so
they may be replicated or expanded. Programs that work less well will be examined to
see how they might be made more effective – or replaced. Ineffective programs will be
discontinued and resources redirected to what does work. In this way, the Iowa
Department of Corrections intends to transform the way we do business, and achieve a
better return on investment – in terms of increased public safety – for each corrections
dollar spent.

17