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Sexually Violent Predators and Civil Commitment
SESSION INFO
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Session Type: Workshop
There are currently only 20 states that have civil commitment for Sexually Violent Predators/Persons (SVP). Arizona is the only state that offers the Least Restrictive Alternative (LRA) program which allows offenders to work through levels towards ultimate reintegration into the community. Generally, these civil commitment programs are for certain types of dangerous sex offenders following the completion of their prison sentences. There are specific criteria to make someone eligible for SVP commitment. Once committed the confining agency is required to conduct periodic reviews of the person’s eligibility for continued civil commitment. The goals of these facilities are treatment of the offender and protection of the community. Probation has established a role within the system working as a liaison between committed individuals and treatment facility. They also assist in the reintegration into society, should the client’s graduate to that level of the program.
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SESSION PRESENTERS
Melissa Hudson
Adult Probation Officer, Maricopa County Adult Probation
Melissa Hudson received her B.A. in Psychology and her M.A. in Criminal Justice both at Arizona State University. She began her career in Maricopa County Juvenile Detention in 2012 where she worked with high risk youth in a detention center. In October 2015, she transferred to Maricopa County Adult Probation as a probation officer with her first assignment being with a standard supervision population. In 2016, she began supervising a standard sex offender caseload until October 2017 when she took over the first ever Arizona State Hospital (ASH) caseload. She served as the Secretary of the Sex Offender Solutions committee from January 2018 until she was promoted to Chair of the committee this year. She became a Defensive Tactics instructor in April 2018 and Thinking for a Change facilitator in December 2018.
Jocelyn Myers
Adult Probation Supervisor, Maricopa County Adult Probation
Jocelyn Myers received her B.S. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. She began her career with Maricopa County Adult Probation in 2006, as a probation officer supervising a standard probation caseload. In August 2010, she transferred to the sex offender division and began supervising a standard sex offender caseload. In August 2015, she supervised the Youthful Sex Offender caseload where she remained until her promotion to Supervisor in March of 2016. In addition, prior to her promotion Supervisor Myers was a Thinking for a Change Instructor. She continues her work in evidence-based practices by serving as a Risk Reduction facilitator for the department and participates on the EBP Masters committee.
Andrea Romano
Adult Probation Supervisor, Maricopa County Adult Probation
Andrea Romano received her B.A. in Communications from Arizona State University. She began her career with Maricopa County Adult Probation in 2007, as a probation officer supervising a standard probation caseload. In April 2013, she transferred to the sex offender division and began supervising Seriously Mentally Ill sex offenders where she remained until her promotion to Supervisor in November of 2016. Andrea was one of only two Probation Officers who supervise this challenging population in Maricopa County. Officer Romano presented at the APPA 2015 Winter Training Institute in Tampa, FL and the APPA 2015 Summer Training Institute in Los Angeles, CA. In addition, prior to her promotion Supervisor Romano was an EBP Advocate for the Department and was a Thinking for a Change Instructor. She continues her work in Thinking for a Change as a “train the trainer” instructor and Risk Reduction facilitator for the department.
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