SACRAMENTO, CA – Jim Tilton, acting secretary for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation yesterday responded to questions about its paroled sex offender program.

"Public safety is the highest priority for Governor [Schwarzenegger].  The governor has ordered the Department to have a zero tolerance policy for dangerously placed sex offenders that are on parole. Any instance of a paroled sex offender that is inappropriately placed will be investigated and swiftly resolved. We are committed to improving state programs that supervise paroled sex offenders in ways that maximize the protection and safety of children and families. The governor introduced Jessica's Law legislation last year that would give California the toughest laws in the nation to protect against sex offenders.

Tilton says the governor also has worked with local law enforcement to maintain funding and provide more tools to help them safeguard against sex offenders.  The governor requested $8 million for sexual assault felony enforcement task forces (SAFE Teams) to reduce violent sexual offenses through proactive surveillance and arrest of habitual sex offenders.

"Assembly Bill 113, which governs the placement of certain high-risk sex offenders near schools, went into effect on January 1, 2006.  The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has been working to implement this new law.  Statewide, there are some 1,046 high risk sex offenders under the department's supervision.  Even though it had made significant progress, there is still work to be done, and the department will not rest until every parolee is properly placed at the safest possible distance from children and families," says Tilton.