Current Oregon laws require community corrections departments to develop a notification plan for sex offenders deemed predatory. The process for determining an offender to be predatory has changed multiple times since the law first became effective in 1993. The premise behind notification is that community members can better protect their children if they have information on sex offenders residing in their area. However, a number of research studies completed to date have shown no reduction in recidivism as a result of community notification. This is believed to be due, in part, to the fact that a majority of sex offenders victimize a person/minor they know. The offender is often a family member, a member of the household or a family member’s friend. Of the 245 sex offenders we currently supervise in Deschutes County (June 2011), approximately 10 offenders have been deemed predatory under the current administrative rules, and another 10 were deemed predatory under the old administrative rules. 98% of all sex offenders in Deschutes County are male.
According to Oregon Revised Statute 181.585, a predatory sex offender is a person "who exhibits characteristics showing a tendency to victimize or injure others" and has been convicted of a sex crime or attempting to commit a sex crime listed in ORS 181.594 (2). Those crimes are Rape in any degree, Sodomy in any degree, Unlawful Sexual Penetration in any degree and Sexual Abuse in any degree. In determining whether a person is a predatory sex offender, community corrections departments are required to use a sex offender risk tool approved by the Department of Corrections. Currently, the State of Oregon uses the Static-99 to determine whether an offender is a candidate for predatory designation. The tool, developed by two researchers from Canada and England, consists of ten static risk factors empirically proven to predict sexual recidivism of adult males. A score of 6 or above is categorized by the tool as "high" risk. According to a validation study, 39% of the offenders who scored high reoffended sexually within five years, 45% within ten years and 52% within fifteen years.
A sex offender who receives a score of 6 or above is notified he is being considered for predatory designation. He is given due process to object to the score. An evaluation is subsequently completed by a qualified sex offender therapist; if the evaluator makes a finding the offender is currently exhibiting characteristics with a tendency to victimize or injure others, a hearing is held by the Parole Board or the Supervisory Authority Board. After being presented evidence from both sides, the Board makes the decision whether to designate the offender predatory.
The predatory offenders listed on this website have been designated predatory under the current administrative rules and are considered to be a high risk to reoffend sexually. Additionally, we monitor these offenders’ whereabouts electronically through the use of GPS until the sex offender therapist and this department determine their risk has been reduced.
Non-predatory sex offenders may also be listed on the community notification page. These are offenders who scored less than a 6 on the risk tool but do present a substantial risk to the community.
