Judiciary hosts training to manage sex offenders

by Jolene Toves

Guam - Officials from a variety of disciplines are undergoing a special two-day training to address comprehensive approaches to managing sex offenders.  The Judiciary of Guam hosted the training.  Superior Court Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena says participants were taught how to objectively use risk management assessment tools to not only render fair and impartial sentencing, but also how to address treatment and rehabilitation of sex offenders.

"Just putting them on the Sexual Registry we found out is not sufficient to rehabilitate these individuals. Some individuals we just can't be rehabilitated but studies have shown that a large number of people convicted of criminal sexual conduct cases can be rehabilitated and can become productive members of our community," he said.

The National Center for Sex Offender Management's Dr. Kurt Bumby led the group of trainers and complemented the Judiciary for taking a leadership role in bringing the right players to the table to address the issue. He explained, "What I'm hoping we accomplish is that everyone will walk out of here with the same understanding about what works and what doesn't and how we can make the communities of Guam and the outlying islands safer."

 The training continues tomorrow.