SACRAMENTO, CA - James E. Tilton, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) secretary, called for a statewide audit using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to ensure all high risk sex offender parolees are appropriately and safely placed throughout California.

“When it comes to the placement of high risk sex offenders we cannot and will not compromise,” Tilton said. “Public safety is our single most important duty and concern. I have directed Adult Parole Operations to use Global Positioning Satellite technology to measure the distance of high risk sex offender placement to ensure it complies with state law.”

The CDCR is required under state law to return parolees to their county of last legal residence.  It also must ensure that any high risk sex offender who has been convicted of certain child molesting charges do not live within a half mile of any K-12 school.  It has begun purchasing 100 new GPS hand held units and will begin training staff to ensure this.
 
“In the past we used the old way of verifying placement, driving the streets and measuring the distance from a parolee's home to schools or park. Today, that isn't good enough.  We will use whatever technology we can to make sure we are in compliance with all state laws and guidelines,” he said.

Tilton also established a departmental liaison with local officials to develop a comprehensive plan for increased communication with local law enforcement, district attorneys and local elected officials.

“We need to establish the critical relationships necessary to embark on a collaborative reentry process for all parolees, including those convicted of sexual offenses,” he said.  ““My expectation is that each and every current and future parolee placement is in total compliance with the law. Anything less will not be tolerated.”