Sex Offender Registration/Absconder Compliance

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA) (42 U.S.C. § 16909, et seq.; Pub. L. 113-235, 128 Stat. 2130, 2193) authorizes the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) to administer sex offender management grants. These grants assist states, the District of Columbia, U.S. principal territories and tribal jurisdictions in developing and/or enhancing sex offender registration and notification programs that support substantial implementation of Title I of the AWA, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA was enacted to protect the public from convicted sex offenders and offenders against children by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of those offenders.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) plans to use the SMART FY 2017 AWA grant funds to improve the technical capabilities of their sex offender registration process, by assuring complete documentation of all sex related offenses. They also plan to enhance the agency’s offender information management system by improving the tracking of offenders who are required to register as a sex offender. The grantee will use the grant funds to 1) hire personnel; 2) send personnel to training; 3) procure supplies; and 4)procurement of consultants to develop a website as well as enhancements to the agency’s current offender information management system. TDCJ’s Information Technology Division suggests the input from field parole officers and testing will ensure the functionality meets the needs of the sex offender registration process and compliance. ca/ncf