Editorial: A failure in oversight

Monday, Sept. 12, 2005 | 9 a.m.

The mission of the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation is fairly straightforward. The state agency is supposed to supervise prisoners released on parole and those who are sentenced to probation by a judge, making sure they don't pose a threat to society as they complete their sentences. An examination of the agency, undertaken by the state Division of Internal Audits, has revealed a number of instances where parole and probation officers haven't adequately supervised potentially dangerous criminals.

The auditors sampled 61 cases and reviewed whether the officers had performed six essential duties in monitoring criminals on parole or probation. For example, the audit found in 41 percent of the cases that probation officers had failed to evaluate the offenders' risk to specific individuals and inform these individuals about the potential danger. Further, in 15 percent of the cases, the officers didn't enter the risk ratings of the offenders with the Dangerous Offender Notification System. This computer rating system, which police officers can access, identifies the potential harm that offenders can pose to law enforcement officers, which can be a lifesaving tool.

Also discovered by the auditors was that probation officers didn't make home visits in 26 percent of the cases they reviewed. The audit notes that these visits reveal whether offenders in fact are living where they claim to be and who is living with them. Home visits also enable officers to determine whether offenders might be violating terms of their parole and probation, such as possessing weapons, alcohol or drugs.

In its recommendations, the auditors said parole and probation officers should focus their energy on those areas that are most important, such as home visits, risk assessments and warning individuals and police officers about the danger that offenders pose. The Division of Parole and Probation's chief, Amy Wright, agreed with the recommendations, but she said that some of them might not be fully implemented until July of next year. Wright should do everything in her power to get better supervision in place immediately. Gov. Kenny Guinn should ask for frequent updates to see how much progress is being made. This issue, involving public safety, is one that can't be ignored or forgotten.