California Requires Sex Offenders On Parole to Take Lie Detector Tests

State officials said that the lie detector tests will help the government better determine which offenders are most dangerous and in need of increased supervision.

The question that will be asked of parolees can range from whether they are attending 12-step addiction programs to whether they are lingering at playgrounds or having inappropriate contact with children.

All sex offender parolees also are required to participate in special treatment programs. Previously, only high-risk offenders had to undergo such treatment. As a result California’s spending on treatment programs has gone from $8.5 million last year to $18.3 million this fiscal year.

California is not the first state to adopt the new practices. At least 18 other states have a similar policy. However, California has by far the largest population of sex offenders on parole numbering around 6,250.

California also has the nation’s largest program of tracking sex offender parolees’ movements with satellite-linked GPS devices. But that program has had some big failures, including Phillip Garrido, who was convicted of keeping Jaycee Dugard hidden at his Contra Costa County home for 18 years, and John Gardner III, who is serving a life sentence for killing two San Diego teenagers.

prevent crimes while getting offenders the treatment and services they need.

Convicted sex offenders are required to undergo the lie-detector tests as a condition of their parole. Since results of such tests are not acceptable in court they can’t be used as evidence, but parole agents can use the results for investigative purposes.

Brenda Crowding, a parole administrator, states that so far the tests seem to be motivating sex offenders to quickly admit any wrongdoings to get out of taking the lie detector tests.

Sex crime charges of any kind damage your reputation and ability to obtain employment for many years to come. At the Law Offices of Arash Hashemi, we provide you with experienced and aggressive counsel. Call us today at (310) 448-1529 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Our office is in the Westside Towers, within a mile of Santa Monica and Westwood. We have flexible office hours, and we will visit you in jail to discuss your case.